Irish music stars born in 1959
Here are 5 famous musicians from Republic of Ireland were born in 1959:
Gavin Friday
Gavin Friday (October 8, 1959 Dublin-) also known as Fionan Martin Hanvey, Fionán Martin Hanvey or Mr. Gavin Friday is an Irish musician, record producer, actor, singer-songwriter, painter and composer.
His discography includes: You Me and World War Three, In America Soundtrack, Falling Off the Edge of the World, Angel, Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves, Adam 'n' Eve, Shag Tobacco, I Want to Live, Catholic and In the Name of the Father. His related genres: Post-punk, Alternative rock, Soundtrack, Cabaret, Film score and Gothic rock.
Gavin Friday first rose to fame as the lead singer and songwriter of the post-punk band The Virgin Prunes, which he co-founded in 1977 with his friend Guggi. The band was known for their theatrical live performances and avant-garde music, and released several albums throughout the 1980s.
After the disbandment of The Virgin Prunes in 1986, Friday embarked on a solo career and released his debut album, "Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves", which was produced by the legendary producer, Hal Willner. Friday continued to release several other critically acclaimed albums throughout the 1990s, including "Shag Tobacco", which featured collaborations with members of U2 and Bono, and "Catholic".
Aside from his music career, Friday has also acted in several films, including "In The Name Of The Father" and "Breakfast On Pluto". He has also composed for film and television, including the score for "In America" and several theatre productions.
In addition to his artistic endeavors, Friday is also a philanthropist and activist, and has been involved in several charitable organizations, including (RED), an organization co-founded by Bono to help raise awareness and funds for the fight against AIDS in Africa.
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Mary Byrne
Mary Byrne (November 3, 1959 Ballyfermot-) is an Irish singer.
Her albums: Mine & Yours, This Is My Life, Could It Be Magic, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, Something, The Way We Were, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Brass in Pocket, Never Can Say Goodbye and I (Who Have Nothing). Genres: Rock music and Pop music.
Mary Byrne gained fame as a finalist on the seventh season of the popular reality singing competition TV series, The X Factor UK in 2010. Despite not winning the grand prize, she signed a recording contract with Simon Cowell's label, Syco Music, and released her debut album, "Mine & Yours," which peaked at number one on the Irish Albums Chart. Her subsequent albums featured covers of classic songs from various genres such as rock, pop, and soul, showcasing her powerful and distinctive voice. Byrne has also performed in musicals and toured with other artists, cementing her status as one of Ireland's beloved singers. In addition to her music career, she has worked as a grocery store cleaner before her rise to fame on The X Factor.
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Steve Hanley
Steve Hanley (May 29, 1959 Dublin-) also known as Stephen Hanley or Hanley, Steve is an Irish musician, songwriter and bassist.
Genres: Punk rock, Independent music and Post-punk.
Steve Hanley is best known as the bassist for the influential English post-punk band The Fall. He joined The Fall in 1979 and remained with the band until 1998, playing on over 20 studio albums. Hanley's bass playing was a major component of The Fall's sound, often providing the driving force behind their abrasive, angular songs.
After leaving The Fall, Hanley continued to play music, both as a solo artist and with other groups. He has released several albums under his own name, including the critically acclaimed "The Big No" in 2018. He has also collaborated with artists such as The Membranes, Brix & The Extricated, and Pere Ubu.
In addition to his musical career, Hanley has worked as a TV producer and writer. He co-wrote the BBC sitcom "Ideal" and produced several music documentaries, including "The Fall: The Wonderful and Frightening World of Mark E. Smith".
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Davy Spillane
Davy Spillane (January 6, 1959 Dublin-) also known as David Spillane, Spillane, Davy or Davey Spillane is an Irish composer and musician.
His most well known albums: A Place Among the Stones, Pipedreams, Shadow Hunter, The Sea of Dreams, Out of the Air, Atlantic Bridge, EastWind and Forgotten Days. His related genres: Folk music, Celtic music and Rock music.
Davy Spillane is a multi-instrumentalist, who is best known for his mastery of the uilleann pipes, a traditional Irish bagpipe. He has collaborated with a number of well-known artists, including Van Morrison, Steve Winwood, and Kate Bush. Spillane has also composed music for both film and television, including the score for the Academy Award-nominated documentary, "Some Mother's Son." Spillane has been awarded numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to traditional Irish music, including the prestigious Gradam Ceoil award from the Irish-language TV station TG4. In addition to his music career, Spillane has also been involved in promoting environmental causes and is a keen advocate for sustainable living.
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Sean O'Hagan
Sean O'Hagan (April 20, 1959 Ireland-) also known as O'Hagan, Sean is an Irish musician and film score composer.
His discography includes: and . Genres he performed: Post-rock, Avant-garde and Avant-garde music.
Sean O'Hagan is best known for being one of the founding members of the band Microdisney, which formed in Cork, Ireland in 1980. After Microdisney disbanded in 1988, O'Hagan went on to form the band The High Llamas in 1992, which has released numerous albums and received critical acclaim for its unique blend of pop, jazz, and classical influences.
In addition to his work in bands, O'Hagan has also composed film scores, including the soundtrack for the 1998 film "The Butcher Boy," which earned him a nomination for an Ivor Novello Award. He has also produced albums for a variety of artists, including the band Stereolab and the singer-songwriter Beth Orton.
O'Hagan's music is often praised for its intricate arrangements and lush instrumentation, as well as its incorporation of influences from a wide range of genres and styles.
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