- Born
- Died
- Birth nameThomas James Makem
- Nicknames
- The Godfather of Irish Music
- The Bard of Armagh
- Tommy Makem was born on November 4, 1932 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, UK. He was an actor and composer, known for The Guard (2011), The Finest Hours (2016) and American Masters (1985). He was married to Mary Shanahan Makem. He died on August 1, 2007 in Dover, New Hampshire, USA.
- SpouseMary Shanahan Makem(? - February 8, 2001) (her death, 4 children)
- He presented Irish stories and songs, performing on banjo and tin-whistle. He became friends with Pete Seeger and the Weavers. Makem and the Clancy Brothers appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show", as well as in concert at the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall. In 1962, Makem played for US President John F. Kennedy, who was of Irish descent.
- Mother Sarah Makem was a leading Irish traditional singer.
- Immigrated to the U.S. with Liam Clancy in 1955. Performed with Clancy and his brothers, Tom Clancy, and Pat Clancy as "The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem".
- He visited his native County Armagh three weeks before his death; he also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster.
- Makem is often credited as having written the classic Irish ballad "Red is the Rose". Many believe that he wrote the song's lyrics and set them to the tune of "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond". This, however, is not true. The song is completely traditional. In fact, Makem indicated in the linear notes to his "Songbag" CD that his mother, Sarah, sang it to him when he was a child.
- The victims of social injustice, since time eternal, have always been without the resources and the ability to fight back. They are defenseless and voiceless. The sad aspect of social injustice is that the defenseless and voiceless are the ones who most need the defense and a strong, vibrant voice.
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