Sept. 2: William "Liam" Clancy with The Clancy Brothers was born on this day in 1935...

....He died in December 2009. at the age of 74 from pulmonary fibrosis.

Liam, known as William or Willie when he was a child was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland. One of 11 children, he was the youngest and last surviving member of the group, considered by many as Ireland's first pop stars. Liam was regarded as the group's most powerful vocalist, and Bob Dylan once called him the greatest ballad singer ever. He also played guitar and concertina.

The Clancy Brothers recorded 55 albums, and appeared in front of sold-out audiences at Carnegie Hall, New York and the Royal Albert Hall, London. They were best known for their work with Tommy Makem, recording dozens of albums together as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. They were a primary influence on a young Bob Dylan and on many other emerging artists.

Press links below to view You Tube videos:-- "The Irish Rover" (with Robbie O'Connell)
-- "Whistling Gypsy Rover" (with Tommy Makem)
-- "Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile" (with Tommy Makem)