COMMENT: Dignam fully deserves legendary status

THE recent RTÃ? documentary on Christy Dignam certainly packed an emotional punch as it covered the highs and lows of the Aslan singer’s extraordinary life.

It was impossible not to be moved by Dignam’s story: his early childhood memories of growing up in a crowded but loving home in Finglas; the horrific sexual abuse he suffered as a child within his local community; his struggles with drug addiction; the rise and fall and eventual resurrection of Aslan; and his ongoing health battles after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer

Throughout it all, Christy displayed great humility and humanity, even finding room for humour amongst the tragic debris of his life. Despite fully embracing sex, drugs and rock

‘n’ roll when the band were on the cusp of fame in the late 1980s, the Christy Dignam of today comes across as a humble, reflective, self-effacing figure; physically aged by the ravages of time and excess, yet somehow still youthful and childlike.

Aside from Dignam’s turbulent past, the Aslan story itself is Irish rock’s greatest tragedy; one of lost opportunities, severed alliances and broken dreams. But it’s also a story of redemption, loyalty and enduring friendships.

It wasn’t always thus. On joining this newspaper in 1989, one of my first tasks as a cub reporter was to write a regular music page. Within weeks, I had landed my first scoop in the form of an exclusive interview with the remaining members of Aslan.

Fans were shocked in 1988 when, at the peak of their success, Christy Dignam was sacked from the band due to his well-publicised struggle with drug addiction. The rest of the lads attempted to soldier on without him, recruiting singer Eamon Doyle as Dignam’s replacement.

I was invited to interview the ‘new’ Aslan in early 1989, ahead of a comeback show in the SFX Theatre. When we met in their management’s office near the Ha’penny Bridge, they were full of enthusiasm and praise for Eamon, who looked every part the rock star. However, it was hard to imagine that they could carry on without Dignam who was such an integral part of Aslan’s sound. In their hearts, I don’t think they believed it would work.

The band trundled on for a while before splitting, going on to gig as The Precious Stones, while Christy formed Dignam and Goff.

Aslan eventually reunited with Dignam in 1993 for what was supposed to be a one-off gig in Finglas. That show made them all realise that they still had the magic when they played together. Shortly after that, hit single ‘Crazy World’ led the band on the road to years of success.

International fame and fortune may well have cruelly eluded Aslan but they have managed to remain relevant to their legion of fans over the decades, consolidating their reputation as one of Ireland’s finest live acts.

The television documentary on Christy Dignam was a heartfelt and sometimes brutally honest depiction of a man who truly deserves to be described as a legend. Above all, it made us realise how lucky we are to still have him around.