Blackthorn
OriginPennsylvania
GenresCeltic rock, folk rock
Years active1990–2017
LabelsIndependent
MembersRob Dunleavy
Mike Boyce
John McGroary
John Boyce
Mike O'Callaghan
Websitehttp://www.irishthing.com/home.html

Blackthorn is an Irish-American band formed in Pennsylvania in 1990. Their style of music has come to be called Celtic Rock for the fusion of Irish traditional instruments and music with modern rock. They have released five albums, starting with It's an Irish Thing in 1993 and most recently Push & Pull in 2006. Their repertoire consists of Traditional Irish songs and tunes as well as original Irish-rock compositions and Irish folk songs with a rock twist.

History

Mike and John Boyce are the son of Barney Boyce, an Irish immigrant from County Donegal and U.S. Army veteran.[1] Drummer, Mike, Casba O’Callaghan was born in Tralee, County Kerry. Paul Moore, a founding member along with John McGroary, was the frontman for the band until 2005. Drummer, Mike, Casba, O’Callaghan born in Tralee, County Kerry, the only band member born in Ireland. Blackthorn was formed in 1990 in the Philly area, with influences from the Clancy Brothers and the Dubliners. Their first album, "It's an Irish Thing", and the song Celtic Symphony became a hit in the Philadelphia area in 1994. Their second album Here We Go Again featured more of a rock feel owing to the addition of noted Philadelphia guitarist, educator and songwriter Gerry Mcwilliams who played all of the electric guitar, mandolin and most of the Bass for the album. He performed with the band from april95 to Feb96. AFTER McWilliams’ departure Seamus Kelleher THEN joined the band on guitar in 1996 for live shows and his debut appearance on the bands third record in 1998. "The Other Side", their third album, got major airplay on the East Coast and was the first with entirely original compositions. Singer Mike Boyce, younger brother of John Boyce, joined in 1999.[2]

In 2011, Seamus Kelleher left the band to pursue a solo career. He had been suffering from health problems ever since falling down a flight of stairs at a King of Prussia bar. Kelleher still makes guest appearances with the band on occasion.[3] Rob Dunleavy replaced him on lead guitar.[2] They were the headlining band at the 2012 Haverford Music Festival.[4] Blackthorn has frequently played at the Rose Tree Park festival.[5] They performed at the Inaugural Cheesesteak Fest in 2015.[6]

Members

Current

  • Mike Boyce – bass, acoustic guitar, keyboards, whistles, and vocals
  • John McGroary (founding member) – accordion
  • John Boyce – keyboards, mandolin, and vocals
  • Mike O'Callaghan – drums, percussion, vocals
  • Rob Dunleavy – guitar and vocals

Former

  • Seamus Kelleher – lead guitar
  • Paul Moore - guitar, lead vocals, founding member
  • Gerry Mcwilliams - Electric guitar, Mandolin, Bass

Discography

  • It's an Irish Thing (1994)
  • Here We Go Again (1996)
  • The Other Side (1998)
  • Ratty Shoes (2001)
  • Push & Pull (2006)

References

  1. ↑ DeGrassa, Peg (March 8, 2017). "U.D. man picked as grand marshal of Philly St. Patrick's Day Parade". Delaware County News Network. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Blackthorn Biography". Blackthorn. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  3. ↑ Foley, Denise (February 2, 2011). "Blackthorn's Lead Guitarist Says Farewell". Irish Philadelphia. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Blackthorn and John Flynn headline 2nd annual Haverford Music Festival". Delaware County Daily Times. July 31, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Rose Tree Park: Blackthorn". Pivot.Today. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ McCutcheon, Lauren (October 15, 2015). "Philly's first Cheesesteak Fest". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
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