I don't know how many of you, if any, have ever listened to Irish folk
music ... specifically the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem ... Tommy
Makem passed away last night from lung cancer.

Gosh, Scotty and I have lost a part of our youth. Tommy was my
favorite, with Liam bringing up a close second. We used to go to their
concerts ... without Tommy, alas. They'd broken up by that time. But I
was lucky enough to not only meet Tommy but to be his chauffeur to and
from his hotel to one of the two places he played in Chicago in 1974
and 1975. I saw him last in June, 1975, his last night at the Emerald
Isle Pub. Scotty and I had already enlisted by then, and I got lots of
jokes about that during that wonderful week, not only from Tommy but
our other friends, the Irish Minstrels. And I was able to tape most of
that last night, which I have recently transferred to not one but
three CDs.

In the mid 80s, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy got together for a
Reunion Tour. Janette (another friend and co-editor of The G-2 Files),
my husband and I got to see them when they came to the Rosemont near
Chicago. And I have *pictures!* It was way cool.

Gee, my two favorite groups of four have only one survivor each left.
Odds are we'll never see Liam again ... unless he comes to Chicago and
we hear about it - and consider going. Terry ... I doubt he plays
anymore. What a pity. All we're left with are CDs, tapes, vinyl and
one DVD video.

Sorry for the long post, but Tommy's going to sorely missed.

Oh, and for a GG content ... Paddy & Tom Clancy were in the RAF during
WWII. I picture them showing up at the Doves and joining in one of the
famous brawls.

Rae of the Rabbits >;(