Paul Brady
| Paul Brady | |
|---|---|
Brady in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Paul Joseph Brady |
| Born |
19 May 1947 Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Folk, pop, traditional Irish |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin, bouzouki, tin whistle |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Associated acts |
The Johnstons Planxty Andy Irvine Matt Molloy Tommy Peoples Andy McGann Paddy Reynolds John Kavanagh Bonnie Raitt Richard Thompson |
| Website | paulbrady |
Paul Joseph Brady (born 19 May 1947) is an Irish singer-songwriter, whose work straddles folk and pop. He was interested in a wide variety of music from an early age. He initially collaborated with several major bands, prior to launching a successful solo career.
Initially popular for playing traditional Irish music in a duo with Andy Irvine and later with Tommy Peoples and Matt Molloy, he later turned to a more rock-inspired electric style with poignant political lyrics. Some of his most popular songs are: "Crazy Dreams", "Nothing but the Same Old Story", "The Island", "Night Hunting", "Steel Claw", and "Paradise is Here".
Brady was born in the small town of Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, on the border with County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. His father Seán Brady was a music teacher teaching the flute. Brady was educated at Sion Mills Primary School, St. Columb's College, Derry and University College Dublin. He is prominently featured in the documentary film The Boys of St. Columb's.
He began learning piano around age six and by the age of eleven he had begun to play guitar, spending hours of his school holidays learning every tune the Shadows and The Ventures recorded. He was also strongly influenced by Chuck Berry.
In 1963, Brady began performing as a hotel piano player in Bundoran, Donegal. In October 1964, he attended University College Dublin and performed with a string of RnB groups, covering songs by the likes of Ray Charles and James Brown. The first of these was 'The Inmates' (late 1964-about April 1965), which evolved into 'The Kult' (about April–December 1965), featuring Brady, Jackie McAuley (ex-Them, and future Belfast Gypsies and Trader Horne), Brendan Bonass, and Dave Pennefather. Brady can be seen in the film Charlie Is My Darling waiting outside Dublin's Adelphi Theatre for the Rolling Stones' concert of 3 September 1965. He next joined 'Rootzgroup' (late 1965 – May 1966) and 'Rockhouse' (about May–December 1966).
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