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Sad to hear of the recent death of Barney McKenna, founder member of and virtuoso banjo player with the "Dubliners". The banjo wasn't really acceptable in the world of Irish music until he showed what could be done with his tenor banjo, tuned an octave lower than usual to harmonise with the other instruments. I think of Barney now when I listen to LC 's song "Banjo", which came to mind too the other night when I watched "A Night to Remember". (SO much better than "Titanic"! ) One of the images accompanying the final credits is a violin floating "on the dark infested sea", a reminder of the eight bandsmen who went down with the ship - "Off of someone's shoulder /Or out of someone's grave..."

It is sad to hear of his death.

TipperaryAnn wrote:... the other night when I watched "A Night to Remember". (SO much better than "Titanic"! ) One of the images accompanying the final credits is a violin floating "on the dark infested sea", a reminder of the eight bandsmen who went down with the ship - "Off of someone's shoulder /Or out of someone's grave..."

And the band plays on ... -- and the world believes

I saw the Dubliners recently at the Royal Albert Hall in London and wee Barney was playing a treat then on his banjo, and bobbing ...
very sad to hear of his death.