Is Dónal Lunny Living or Dead?

About Dónal Lunny

Dónal Lunny is a true legend in the world of Irish music. Born on March 10, 1947, in Tullamore, County Offaly, Lunny has been a key figure in the Irish music scene for over five decades. He is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and record producer, and has worked with some of the biggest names in Irish music, including Christy Moore, Planxty, The Bothy Band, and Moving Hearts.

Lunny's musical journey began in the 1960s, when he started playing guitar and mandolin in various folk groups. In the early 1970s, he joined the legendary Irish folk group Planxty, where he played bouzouki and guitar. With Planxty, Lunny helped to redefine Irish folk music, incorporating elements of rock and jazz into their sound.

After Planxty disbanded in 1983, Lunny went on to form the band Moving Hearts, which fused traditional Irish music with rock and jazz. Moving Hearts released three albums before disbanding in 1986.

Throughout his career, Lunny has also worked as a record producer, producing albums for artists such as Christy Moore, Paul Brady, and Elvis Costello. He has also composed music for film and television, including the soundtrack for the hit Irish film "The Secret of Kells."

Lunny's contributions to Irish music have been recognized with numerous awards, including a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Music Rights Organization in 2018.

Despite his many accomplishments, Lunny remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform and record music, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Irish music.

References:

- "Dónal Lunny." AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/d%C3%B3nal-lunny-mn0000797029.

- "Dónal Lunny: The man who made Irish music rock." The Irish Times, 22 Mar. 2018, www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/d%C3%B3nal-lunny-the-man-who-made-irish-music-rock-1.3431295.