It’s with great sadness that Hot Press reports the death yesterday of Donal Coghlan, one-half of Dublin act Hinterland who signed to Island Records in 1989 and proceeded to release Celtic ambient classic, Kissing The Roof Of Heaven.
Splitting five years later after having failed to achieve commercial lift off – rock ‘n’ roll life is frequently not fair – Donal went on to pursue a solo career and battle Multiple Sclerosis while bandmate Gerry Leonard became both a member of Suzanne Vega’s band and David Bowie’s musical director.
Confined to a wheelchair in recent years, Donal organised a variety show in Dublin to mark International Day for the Disabled and highlighted the daily difficulties faced by wheelchair users in the media.
We remember a particularly wonderful Hinterland gig at the London Fleadh in Finsbury Park where they jammed one of the tents.
“Very sad to hear of Donal Coghlan's passing,” says fellow singer-songwriter Joe Chester. “Had the honour of playing on some of his post-Hinterland songs. True fighter and a great artist.”
Also paying his respects this morning and playing Hinterland on his Today FM breakfast show was Ian Dempsey.
Our condolences to his wife, Marina, son Zak and the rest of Donal’s family and friends.