Jim McCann
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" McCann is an Irish
entertainer and folk musician. Although a solo
artist for most of his career, McCann was a member of the folk group the Dubliners
from 1974 until 1979.
as a student of medicine
, but became interested in folk music during a summer holiday in Birmingham
in 1964. He began to perform in folk clubs in the area, and upon his return to Dublin he joined a group called the Ludlow Trio
in 1965. In the following year the Ludlow Trio had a hit
with their recording of Dominic Behan
’s “The Sea Around Us”, which reached number one in the Irish charts.
The Ludlow Trio broke up in the following year, and McCann began a solo career, releasing an album, McCann, and making several appearances on several folk programmes for Telefis Éireann.
Amongst other pursuits, he spent the next few years involving himself in theatrical productions (starting with Maureen Potter's "Gaels of Laughter" in 1968), and he toured throughout Ireland and Britain. He released a second album, McCanned, made a television special called Reflections of Jim McCann, and then hosted a series called The McCann Man.
of The Dubliners. During this appearance Kelly did his only televised performance of the Phil Coulter
song "Scorn Not His Simplicity
", a song that he chose to perform sparingly out of respect to the subject matter (Coulter's intellectually disabled son).
McCann subsequently performed alongside Kelly in the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar
in 1973, in the role of Peter
. In April 1974 Kelly asked McCann to join The Dubliners temporarily, to replace Ciaran Bourke
during a period of illness. However, he became a permanent member soon after when Ronnie Drew
left the group to pursue a solo career. McCann remained with The Dubliners until the end of 1979, during which he toured incessantly, also recording several albums with the group.
) and achieving success with albums including From Tara to Here and singles
such as “Grace”.
He rejoined the Dubliners in 2002 for their 40th anniversary album, but during the subsequent tour was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although treatment for the illness was successful, the damage to his voice has left him unable to sing.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
entertainer and folk musician. Although a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
artist for most of his career, McCann was a member of the folk group the Dubliners
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
from 1974 until 1979.
Beginnings
As a young man, McCann attended University College DublinUniversity College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
as a student of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, but became interested in folk music during a summer holiday in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
in 1964. He began to perform in folk clubs in the area, and upon his return to Dublin he joined a group called the Ludlow Trio
The Ludlows
The Ludlows were a popular Irish folk band in the 1960s. Their name was derived from Woody Guthrie's "Ludlow Massacre".Formed in 1964, and originally called the Ludlows Ballad Group, then the Ludlow Trio, they consisted of Sean Loughran, from Carrick-on-Suir, Paddy Roche and Margaret O'Brien....
in 1965. In the following year the Ludlow Trio had a hit
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
with their recording of Dominic Behan
Dominic Behan
Dominic Behan was an Irish songwriter, short story writer, novelist and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English. He was also a committed socialist and Irish Republican...
’s “The Sea Around Us”, which reached number one in the Irish charts.
The Ludlow Trio broke up in the following year, and McCann began a solo career, releasing an album, McCann, and making several appearances on several folk programmes for Telefis Éireann.
Amongst other pursuits, he spent the next few years involving himself in theatrical productions (starting with Maureen Potter's "Gaels of Laughter" in 1968), and he toured throughout Ireland and Britain. He released a second album, McCanned, made a television special called Reflections of Jim McCann, and then hosted a series called The McCann Man.
The Dubliners
It was on The McCann Man that he met fellow folk artist, Luke KellyLuke Kelly
Luke Kelly was an Irish singer and folk musician from Dublin, Ireland, notable as a founding member of the band The Dubliners.-Early life:...
of The Dubliners. During this appearance Kelly did his only televised performance of the Phil Coulter
Phil Coulter
Phil Coulter is an artist with an international reputation as a successful songwriter, pianist, music producer, arranger and director. His success has spanned four decades and he is one of the biggest record sellers in Ireland...
song "Scorn Not His Simplicity
Scorn Not His Simplicity
"Scorn not his Simplicity" is a song written by the Irish musician and songwriter Phil Coulter and performed on his albums Classic Tranquility and The Songs I Love So Well....
", a song that he chose to perform sparingly out of respect to the subject matter (Coulter's intellectually disabled son).
McCann subsequently performed alongside Kelly in the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
in 1973, in the role of Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
. In April 1974 Kelly asked McCann to join The Dubliners temporarily, to replace Ciaran Bourke
Ciaran Bourke
Ciarán Bourke was an Irish musician and one of the original founding members of the Irish folk band The Dubliners.-Early life:...
during a period of illness. However, he became a permanent member soon after when Ronnie Drew
Ronnie Drew
Joseph Ronald "Ronnie" Drew was an Irish singer and folk musician who achieved international fame during a fifty-year career recording with The Dubliners. He was born in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin...
left the group to pursue a solo career. McCann remained with The Dubliners until the end of 1979, during which he toured incessantly, also recording several albums with the group.
Recent years
In recent years he has continued to perform, tour, and record music as a solo artist, appearing on many television shows (particularly on RTÉRTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
) and achieving success with albums including From Tara to Here and singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
such as “Grace”.
He rejoined the Dubliners in 2002 for their 40th anniversary album, but during the subsequent tour was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although treatment for the illness was successful, the damage to his voice has left him unable to sing.
Discography
- McCann
- McCanned
- Live at the Stadium
- Jim McCann
- Grace & other Irish Love Songs
- From Tara to Here (Gold)
- By Request
Filmography
- Reflections of Jim McCann – TV special
- The McCann Man – TV series
- Festival Folk – TV special
- My Ireland – TV special
- McCann & McTell – TV special
Theatre
- Gaels of Laughter (1968)
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) – Peter
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - Narrator