Bobby Clancy

Bobby Clancy (May 14, 1927 – September 6, 2002) was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland. He was the twin brother of Joan Clancy, and a member of the Irish folk group, the Clancy Brothers.

Biography

A wild child, one famous story of Bobby's childhood involves going for a swim in the River Suir. Intending to dry himself off, Bobby left his swim trunks in the sun to dry, while he laid out in the sun to dry himself. The tide came in and took Bobby's britches with him, forcing young Bobby to walk home in the buff. Word got around quick in the small Irish town and Bobby was taunted with the phrase "Bobby's britches gone off in the tide" for years afterward. His nephew, Robbie O'Connell, also his future partner as a fellow member of the Clancy Brothers even wrote a song about it, "Bobby's Britches Gone off in the Tide," recorded on the latter's 1982 solo album, "Close to the Bone". [http://www.wgbh.org/pages/pri/spirit/shows/098letter.html]

Bobby left home in the late 1940s to join the RAF where he traveled all over Europe, including Greece and Egypt where he picked up many a folk song. Still traveling, he joined his older brothers Paddy Clancy and Tom Clancy where they were actors in New York City. The trio would sometimes sing, informally beginning the group later known as The Clancy Brothers.

In 1955 Bobby returned to Ireland to settle down and run his father's insurance business. While his youngest brother Liam Clancy took his place in America and officially formed the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem with Paddy, Tom Clancy and friend Tommy Makem, Bobby forged his own solo career, especially taking off when his brothers made it big in Ireland in 1962. Bobby and sister Peg Clancy, also known as Peg Power, recorded an album and toured as a duo, appearing on several Irish television programs in the 1960s. Bobby brought his skill as a performer to the small screen with his own TV series, When Bobby Clancy Sings.

He married Moira Mooney, a school teacher in the mid-1960s. Together they had four children, two of which were Aoife and Finbarr Clancy

When Tommy Makem left in 1969, Bobby took his place and became a member of the Clancy Brothers for the first time. The four brothers, Paddy, Tom, Bobby and Liam released three studio albums, Clancy Brothers Christmas, Flowers in the Valley and Welcome to Our House. The first two albums were produced under Columbia Records while the latter was released under Audio Fidelity Records.

Bobby's initial tenure with the Clancy Brothers was short-lived. He and Liam got into an argument which resulted in Bobby quitting the group. Bobby resumed his solo work, releasing a solo album Good Times When Bobby Clancy Sings and appearing live on a compilation album from a 1974 German Folk Festival, both in 1974. Living in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts in the early 1970s, Bobby made a surprise cameo on his brothers' Brockton, Massachusetts TV special in 1974 where he led the brothers and current fourth member Louis Killen on "Mountain Tay." That lineup split up for a time but plans were made to regroup, along with Bobby, in 1977. Paddy, Tom and Bobby recruited nephew Robbie O'Connell, a singer and songwriter who added the aforementioned "Bobby's Britches Gone off in the Tide" about Uncle Bobby.

The quartet released two albums, both live, one in 1982 and the other in 1988, Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell Live! 1982 and Tunes and Tales of Ireland respectively.

Youngest brother Liam Clancy rejoined Bobby and Paddy and Robbie in 1990 when brother Tom was diagnosed and later succumbed to stomach cancer in November 1990. The Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell, now Paddy, Bobby and Liam appeared on numerous TV shows in America and Ireland, notably Live with Regis and Kathie Lee in 1991, 1993 and 1995, Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert in 1992 and RTÉ's Lifelines in 1994. The quartet released the group's first studio album in over 20 years with Older But No Wiser in late 1995, an album title coined by Bobby's wife Moira. Soon after, Liam Clancy and Robbie O'Connell left the group, leaving Bobby and Paddy to continue with Bobby's son Finbarr Clancy and friend Eddie Dillon from Boston. This new lineup toured until November 1998 when Paddy died from lung cancer.

Now as a trio, the Clancys and Eddie Dillon recorded two live albums, Clancy Sing-a-Long Songs and . Solo, with the help of friend Eddie Dillon, who owns a recording studio and company in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, Ark Albums Bobby released two solo albums, The Quiet Land and Make Me a Cup in 1999 and 2000.

Illness

In 1999 Bobby had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and by 2000 he was unable to perform on his feet. The trio had to do all their concerts sitting down. As a result of age and his worsening illness, during his final years, Bobby would become confused and forgetful onstage, often requiring son Finbarr or Eddie Dillon to cover for him or warn him of his cues. By March 2002, he was unable to perform and had to bow out of that tour. On September 6, 2002, Bobby Clancy passed away at the age of 75. He left behind a twin sister, his wife, four children, and several grandchildren. At the time of his death he was back home in Ireland, long since living at the home of his parents on William Street in Carrick-on-Suir, the home where he was born.

Solo Discography/Guest Appearances

*1962 – "So Early in the Morning" - Tradition LP/Rykodisc CD
*1963 – "Peg & Bobby Clancy: Songs From Ireland" - Tradition LP/Collectables CD
*1974 – "Irish Folk Festival" - Intercord LP/CD
*1974 – "Good Times When Bobby Clancy Sings" – Talbot LP
*1999 – "Make Me A Cup" – ARK CD
*1999 – "Clancy Sing Along Songs" – ARK CD
*1999 – "Cherish the Ladies: At Home" – RCA Victor CD
*2000 - "Cherish the Ladies: The Girls Won’t Leave the Boys Alone" – Windham Hill CD
*2000 – "The Quiet Land" – ARK CD
*2001 – "Aoife Clancy: Silvery Moon" – Appleseed CD
*2001 – "Once in a Lifetime: An Evening of Fine Irish Music" – ARK CD (out of print)

*Other appearances can be found on the Clancy Brothers Discography