Planxty Feature (1972-75,
1978-83, 2003-05)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
During the last thirty years, no single band
has changed the face of Irish "traditional" music more than Planxty, the
brainchild of Donal Lunny and Christy Moore that came together more
by accident than design. Their unique blend of folk and Irish
traditional music transformed the genre and eventually paved the way
for the worldwide success of Riverdance, a milestone in the
Irish entertainment industry.
It was early 1972 when Planxty was launched.
Christy Moore had been singing on the folk circuit in England after
leaving Ireland a few years earlier. In 1971, he returned to Ireland
and released his first album to great critical acclaim. At the same
time, Donal Lunny was originally with the Emmet Folk which merged to
become the popular Emmett Spiceland. The band enjoy success on the
folk circuit as well as several records. After the breakup of
Spiceland, Donal went solo and eventually joined up with Andy Irvine
on a part time basis.
Andy Irvine, from the UK, had been a part of
Sweeney's Men. After their breakup, he met with Donal Lunny and they
started gigging together casually. Liam O'Flynn was a master of the
Uilleann Pipes and had been on a tour of the United States, the year
before joining Planxty.
At the time of their formation, Planxty were
considered a bit of a "super" group as each of its members had
enjoyed much success in their past. Under the management of Des
Kelly, the band hit the road, almost guaranteed commercial success.
At the time of their formation, Ireland was experiencing a renewed
interest in traditional music through the efforts of bands like
Horslips, the Chieftains, and others. The band enjoyed great success, leading the
vanguard for the change of Irish traditional music and a
revitalization of the folk scene.
In October, 1973, Donal Lunny left
the band and was replaced by Johnny Moynihan. Johnny had previously played with
Andy Irvine in Sweeney's Men. Manager Des Kelly stated that the
leaving was amicable and said that Donal would "probably be
producing their discs as well." An article in
Spotlight a year later announced Christy Moore's departure from the
group. He was replaced by Paul Brady, who had been with the Johnstons
for nearly seven years, spending nearly five years operating mainly
out of Britain and then the United States. Paul's departure from the
Johnstons left Adrienne Johnston as the sole member of the band.
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
Discography
Singles
Three Drunken
Maidens
Ruby Records - Unknown - February, 1972
Cliffs of Doneen -
#8 Irish Charts
Polydor Records - 2078-023 - December, 1972
Timedance -
#3 Irish Charts
WEA Records - Unknown - March, 1981
Albums
Planxty
Polydor Records - 2383-186 - 1973
Well Below The Valley
Polydor Records - 2383-232 - November, 1973
After The Break
Tara Records - TARA 3001 - December, 1979
Audio Clips
Coming Soon
Where Are They Now?
