Luke… The very best, bar none.

“It’s now over twenty years since I took the phone call from my father breaking the news that Luke had passed away. Numb and empty, I was for once, without words.

Luke Kelly was the biggest single influence on my musical life. I was fortunate enough to have shared Luke’s company on many occasions in the sixties and seventies. As an artist, Luke was transfixing. As a singer, awesome, none better. As a character, irreplaceable. Luke Kelly was a legend.

Still today, it’s my belief there has never been a more powerful voice that emanated such clarity in the world of folk music. Luke sang his heart out with conviction. He was sincere in his singing. If there was ever a message to be made through the medium of song, then Luke succeeded as much as a mortal can - and in doing so he became immortal.

 

Luke always made a point that he wanted people to enjoy and listen to Irish folk music. If he had to sing the same songs over and over again, he didn’t care, if that was what the audience wanted to hear.He was a man of the people.

Luke Kelly lived much of his life among his own - and yet he too knew a kind of exile: a spiritual exile of one who wished for a better world.

For him, singing was essential.

Luke Kelly was his own man.

Wherever in the world folk music is sung, Luke will never be forgotten.

Thanks for the memories, Luke. We will sing your songs with respect, fond memories and dignity.

After all, Luke was one of our very own - he was the very best…bar none! “

Brian Roebuck, January 30th, 2004