Charlie Lennon (fiddler) explained

Charlie Lennon
Birth Name:Charles Oliver Lennon
Birth Date:24 July 1938
Birth Place:Kiltyclogher, County Leitrim, Ireland
Death Place:Galway, Connacht, Ireland
Alma Mater:University of Liverpool
Years Active: 1970s–2024
Children:3
Relatives:Maurice Lennon (nephew)
Awards:TG4 Composer of the Year (2006)
Website: (his recording studio)

Charles Oliver Lennon (24 July 1938 – 8 June 2024) was an Irish musician, fiddler, composer, and pianist.

Early life and education

Charles Oliver Lennon was born the youngest of four children to Jim and Sally Lennon in Kiltyclogher on 24 July 1938.[1] [2] [3] Lennon learned playing instruments including the fiddle and piano at a young age, and joined several céilí bands in his teenage years. He graduated from the University of Liverpool, majoring in nuclear physics.[4]

Career

Lennon's career spanned over 50 years.[5] His compositions include The Twelve Pins, Kilty Town, The Moving Pint, Planxty Joe Burke, Ladies’ 2nd Choice, Christmas in Spiddal, The Smiling Bride, The Road to Cashel, Lennon's No.4, The Handsome Young Maidens, The Bag of Money and Sound Man Éamonn.[6] [7] [8] [9] His recordings include Lucky in Love, The Emigrant Suite, Seeking Sanctuary Suite, Flight from the Hungry Land, Island Wedding, Time for a Tune, Aifreann Chaomháin, Áille Na hÁille, The Dance of the Honey Bees, Dusk 'Till Dawn and The Famine Suite.[10] [11]

Lennon's book of compositions, Musical Memories, was published in 1993. Lennon was awarded the title Ard-Ollamh by the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 2005. He was the 2006 TG4 Composer of the Year.[12] Lennon's second book of compositions, Musical Memories Volume 2, was published in 2012.[13] He was awarded the IMRO Gold Award in 2020.[14]

Lennon also taught at third level at the University of Galway. He moved to Spiddal after his retirement, where he opened a recording studio.

Personal life and death

Lennon married sean-nós singer Síle Ní Fhlaithearta in 1966, with whom he had 3 children and 8 grandchildren.[15] [16] He was Maurice Lennon's uncle.[17]

Lennon died at the University Hospital Galway on 8 June 2024, aged 85.[18]

Select discography

Compositions

Recordings

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charlie Lennon . 10 June 2024 . All Celtic Music.
  2. Web site: Artists and Works Search . 11 June 2024 . Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel.
  3. Web site: 22 June 2024 . Charlie Lennon obituary: Influential composer and musician who never stopped learning . 30 October 2024 . The Irish Times.
  4. Web site: Ainsworth . Paul . 9 June 2024 . Tributes paid to Irish trad musician and composer Charlie Lennon . 10 June 2024 . The Irish News.
  5. O'Rourke . Evelyn . Evelyn O'Rourke . 8 June 2024 . Irish traditional musician Charlie Lennon dies aged 85 . RTÉ.
  6. Web site: Charlie Lennon . 10 June 2024 . Féile Oriel 2024.
  7. Web site: 9 June 2024 . RIP Charlie Lennon (1938–2024) . 11 June 2024 . The Journal of Music.
  8. Web site: Siggins . Lorna . 16 June 2024 . Obituary: Charlie Lennon, renowned trad composer and talented musician who broke musical boundaries . 31 October 2024 . Irish Independent.
  9. Quinn . Toner . 20 June 2024 . Charlie Lennon remembered: thoughts on a traditional music giant . RTÉ.
  10. Web site: Neely . Daniel . 10 June 2024 . Charlie Lennon, trad titan, 85 . 10 June 2024 . The Irish Echo.
  11. Web site: Charlie Lennon . 11 June 2024 . Taisce Chois Fharraige . ga.
  12. Web site: 13 December 2012 . IMRO Master Classes at Temple Bar Tradfest 2013 . 10 June 2024 . Irish Music Rights Organisation.
  13. Web site: 28 September 2012 . Second Volume of Charlie Lennon Tunes . 11 June 2024 . The Journal of Music.
  14. Web site: 11 June 2024 . CHARLIE LENNON 1938-2024: Duine de mhórcheoltóirí na tíre, ar shlí na fírinne . 11 June 2024 . . ga.
  15. Web site: Charlie Lennon . 10 June 2024 . Irish Traditional Music Archive.
  16. Web site: Ryan . Emma . 10 June 2024 . President leads tributes following death of Leitrim native and Irish traditional music legend Charlie Lennon . 10 June 2024 . Irish Independent.
  17. Web site: 6 March 2023 . Musician Mick O'Brien to be awarded highest accolade in Traditional Irish Music . 10 June 2024 . TG4.
  18. News: Gleeson . Colin . 9 June 2024 . Irish traditional musician Charlie Lennon has died aged 85 . 10 June 2024 . The Irish Times.

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