The Ludlows
Encyclopedia
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. Laughran had spent some years in Scotland where he had absorbed Scottish folk music. The following year Dubliner Jim McCann took the place of Paddy Roche.
In July 1965 they had a hit with "The Butcher Boy" (a variation of "Died for Love
") and also recorded "Yesterday's Dream". By this time they were touring Ireland and Britain and appearing on TV and radio. In 1966 they were the first Irish folk group to have a no. 1 hit, which was Dominic Behan
's "The Sea Around Us", which remained at the top spot for four weeks. They followed this up with a satirical composition of their own, "Johnny Lad". In that year they also performed two songs for the Irish National Song Contest, one of which, "The Wind Through the Rafters" came second and entered the Irish hit parade. They recorded an album, The Wind and the Sea, with Pye Records.
By 1967 Gerry Cairns had replaced Sean Loughran. The group broke up at the end of 1967. Margaret O'Brien and Jim McCann embarked on solo careers. McCann later joined The Dubliners
. Gerry Cairns went to Scotland.
Music of Ireland
Irish Music is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres on the island of Ireland.The indigenous music of the island is termed Irish traditional music. It has remained vibrant through the 20th, and into the 21st century, despite globalizing cultural forces...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band in the 1960s. Their name was derived from Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
'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
Carrick-on-Suir
Carrick-on-Suir is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. As the name – meaning "the rock of the Suir" – suggests, the town is situated on the River Suir. The of the town gives the population as 5,906 and shows that it has grown by 5.7% since 2002...
, Paddy Roche and Margaret O'Brien. Laughran had spent some years in Scotland where he had absorbed Scottish folk music. The following year Dubliner Jim McCann took the place of Paddy Roche.
In July 1965 they had a hit with "The Butcher Boy" (a variation of "Died for Love
A Brisk Young Sailor Courted Me
"A Brisk Young Sailor " is a traditional Folk ballad , which has been collected from all over Britain, Ireland and North America.-Synopsis:A young sailor courts a young girl and wins her heart...
") and also recorded "Yesterday's Dream". By this time they were touring Ireland and Britain and appearing on TV and radio. In 1966 they were the first Irish folk group to have a no. 1 hit, which was 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 remained at the top spot for four weeks. They followed this up with a satirical composition of their own, "Johnny Lad". In that year they also performed two songs for the Irish National Song Contest, one of which, "The Wind Through the Rafters" came second and entered the Irish hit parade. They recorded an album, The Wind and the Sea, with Pye Records.
By 1967 Gerry Cairns had replaced Sean Loughran. The group broke up at the end of 1967. Margaret O'Brien and Jim McCann embarked on solo careers. McCann later joined 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...
. Gerry Cairns went to Scotland.