Seán Cannon

Seán Cannon (born November 29,1940 in Galway) is an Irish musician, who since 1982 has been lead vocal and guitarist for the Dubliners.

Early life

Seán Cannon was born in Galway, Ireland on November 29, 1940. He travelled around Europe at an early age, rambling in England, Germany, Switzerland and Spain. It was during these trips that Cannon learned to speak several languages. He moved to England (where he still lives), and became a renowned solo artist, playing in almost every folk club in Britain (Including the Star Club in Digbeth Birmingham).

Family

Cannon married Pamela Blick and had two sons James and Robert Cannon. He is now divorced.His Father Jim Cannon was born in Donegal and moved to Galway city and married Kathleen Byrne, who came from Ballinue,Aughrim,Co Galway. Family still living in Ireland, cousin Martin Byrne, living in BanagherCo Offaly, Seamus Byrne Enniskillen Co Fermanagh.

Career

By 1969, Cannon had joined an England-based folk group called The Gaels. (The Gaels consisted of three Irishmen and a Scotsman.) They released an album. He also released several solo albums, two of which where released in the 1970s.

Cannon had known the Dubliners for years and, like Eamonn Campbell, joined them on stage on numerous occasions. When Luke Kelly became ill, he stepped in, and became a full time Dubliner in 1982. Cannon still manages to do some solowork in between the touring. Presently, he plays gigs with his son, improved musician, James Cannon. They call themselves The Cannons. Sean Cannon now lives in Coventry, United Kingdom.

Trivia

Sean Cannon is immortalised in the famous Christy Moore song "Lisdonvarna". The line "Sean Cannon Doing Back Stage Cooking" being a direct reference to when Sean travelled to all the music festivals in the late 70's with a converted caravan and sold curry !