NEWS that Phil Chevron had finally lost his long battle with cancer was met with sadness across the Northside last week.
The talented Santry reared musician, singer and songwriter died on October 8, just weeks after a testimonial concert at the Olympia Theatre was held in his honour.
Chevron, who was born Philip Ryan, was regarded as a pivotal figure in the Irish music scene during the early days of Punk. He formed his own band in 1975 and the following year was one of the founding members of Dublin Punk band, The Radiators from Space.
By 1977 the band were regulars at the Baggot Inn, had toured the UK and released their debut single, Television Screen to wide critical acclaim.
More single releases followed in ’78 but it wasn’t until August 1979 when their long awaited and much-loved album, Ghostown, was finally cut.
The Radiators never built on their early success and called it a day in 1981. Chevron moved to London where he met a young Shane MacGowan who invited him to join his Celtic punk band, The Pogues, on a temporary basis.
He stayed with the band until 1994 and stayed out of the limelight until 2003 when he teamed up with ex-Pogues bassist Cait O’Riordan to reform The Radiators.
In 2007 Chevron was diagnosed with cancer but the following year he was back touring and performing.
However, the cancer eventually returned and last August friends gathered for a testimonial concert to give a proper send-off to the ailing musician who was aged just 56.
Actor Aidan Gillen from Game of Thrones and Love/Hate and writer Roddy Doyle joined 15 acts including Horslips, Gavin Friday, Paul Brady, Declan O’Rourke and Shane MacGowan to honour a frail looking Chevron at the event.
The influence that he had on a whole generation was expressed by many of the artists and writers who attended, including Joseph O’Connor who summed up how many people felt when he said:
“Philip Chevron is one of the greatest Irish songwriters of all time, certainly the best of my generation, an artist of a unique and absolutely compelling sensibility.
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Last week the Musicians Union of Ireland expressed its sadness at the death of the talented and much loved guitarist. Union vice-president Eamon Murray said:
“I was always delighted to meet him in Dublin when he was visiting or when on tour. A real gentleman, he will be missed by family, friends and fellow musicians.
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