Tribute to Joe Cooley & Kevin Keegan |
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Anecdotes & more about Joe & Kevin Joe Cooley Discography - About His Music |
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Joe Cooley spent the last 18 years of his life in America and died in Ireland on December 20, 1973. He is buried in Killtomas Graveyard where still is heard local Sean Leahey's "Farewell to Joe Cooley." |
Through
Cooley's "The Wise Maid" and Keegan's "Kevin Keegan's Waltz"
their love of Ireland and its traditions live on through the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí
Éireann Cooley-Keegan Branch of San Francisco, named in their honor.
March 13, 2001 Cooley-Keegan Branch was honored to have Charlie Piggott as a guest speaker for an impromptu talk about the music, life and times of Joe Cooley. During the talk we were treated to rare recordings, biographical photographs, and anecdotes. A few rare pictures of Kevin Keegan playing with Joe were included also. We thank Charlie and wish him well in his endeavor to preserve this important part of Irish traditional music history. You can watch a documentary |
This
text was taken from the printed program for the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
26th Annual North American Convention held in 1998 in San Francisco.
A rare photo of Kevin taken by Evo Bluestein appears at www.evobluestein.com/kev.html . |
Kevin Keegan Kevin Keegan was born in Bllinasloe, County Galway and was founding member of the Aughrim Slopes Band. His love and quiet enthusiasm of Irish traditional music brought him to America. Kevin played his accordion in competition against his friend Joe Cooley in Chicago, and when the contestants were finished, both settled into a lively seisiun for the enjoyment of all. Kevin was well-known in San Francisco, playing first at the Carousel Ballroom, and then nightly at The Plough and Stars. He is fondly remembered there still by those dancers and musicians who came to share in and benefit from the gift of his music. Kevin passed away in San Francisco five years to the day Joe Cooley died on December 20, 1978. He was taken home to Galway for burial. |
AnecdotesMickie Zekley of Lark in The Morning ... Mickie's interest in Irish music was first inspired by the legendary Irish accordion players Joe Cooley and Kevin Keegan, whom he performed with for many years. |
More Joe and Kevin stories... |