Tributes pour in following the death of Hothouse Flowers saxophonist Leo Barnes

Emotional tributes are pouring in after news broke of Hothouse Flowers' saxophonist Leo Barnes' death.

The musician joined the Dublin folk-rock band in 1985, remaining an active member on and off until 1998. Barnes played in Gavin Friday’s band around 1988-89, playing gigs in Ireland. Leo also appeared on albums by Michelle Shocked, Two Way Street and Shane Howard.

Leo Barnes on stage with Anto Thistlethwaite of The Waterboys, during an 1989 Mary Stokes Band gig at the Wexford Inn.

Hothouse Flowers formed that same year when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin (who had known each other from their school days in Coláiste Eoin) began performing as buskers on the streets of Dublin, calling themselves The Incomparable Benzini Brothers.

They were later joined by Peter O’Toole, and had won a street-entertainer award within a year. They renamed the group Hothouse Flowers (suggested by singer Maria Doyle Kennedy at the Trinity College Arts Block cafe) and began writing songs and performing throughout Ireland. Rolling Stone even called them “the best unsigned band in Europe". Their ranks then further swelled with the arrival of first Leo Barnes and Jerry Fehily followed by Wayne Sheehy, Rob Malone and Dave Clarke.

Leo was brought up as a child in the notorious Artane Industrial School and became a prominent member of the Artane Boys Band, which also provided a musical springboard for Larry Mullen. He then joined the armed forces and became a member of the Army Band whilst at the same time moonlighting on the local Dublin circuit.

"Every note he played took my breath away...Codladh sámh Leo Barnes," one of the band's founding members, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, tweeted of Leo Barnes.

Every note he played took my breath away….

Codladh sámh Leo Barnes…

💫 @ Dublin, Ireland https://t.co/4VRCCdhEAb

— Fiachna Ó Braonáin (@fobraonain) April 19, 2022

My teenage years were all about Hothouse Flowers💜I first saw them in '88 at RDS, bought all the records, went to the gigs, joined the fan club, talked about them A LOT. I still have 2 scrapbooks filled with newspaper articles & interviews.
RIP Leo Barneshttps://t.co/NYXQqJRsC8 pic.twitter.com/xAG8B5EV8j

— Jackie Lynam (@JackieLynam) April 19, 2022

Loved how Hothouse Flowers combined Irish rock with soul. Leo Barnes's saxophone played a big part in that. A sad loss to Irish musichttps://t.co/VWEOqOkDy5

— Paul McConville (@pmcconville77) April 19, 2022

Sincere condolences to all of you, everyone who knew Leo, and those who loved his musicianship. Cherish your memories, I know I will 💛

Rest in peace Leo Barnes pic.twitter.com/FdGlY1SxCy

— Galleri Caroline (@gallericaroline) April 19, 2022

This gig was my first time seeing @hothouseflowers perform. Cork Jazz 1986. The sax playing by Leo Barnes was the standout of their set. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam pic.twitter.com/vqpyNrg3bI

— Aidan Coyne (@aidanjcoyne1) April 19, 2022

Sorry to hear about #LeoBarnes from @hothouseflowers passing away. Such an integral part of the sound. https://t.co/zGIYJaAZ6O

— Moonbase Management (@moonagement) April 19, 2022

@fobraonain @lliamm7 @PeterOToole3 condolences on the loss of Leo Barnes. Powerful saxophonist for sure.

— deanshaw (@deanshaw) April 19, 2022

In 1986 Bono saw the Flowers performing on television and offered his support. They released their first single, 'Love Don’t Work This Way' on U2′s Mother Records label, which led to a deal with the PolyGram subsidiary London Records.

Debut album People was released in May 1988, and was the most successful debut album in Irish history. It reached the No.1 slot in Ireland within a week and eventually reached No.2 in the UK Albums Chart. The group’s sophomore album, Home was released in June 1990. It was recorded sporadically during extensive touring. Sessions took place in Dublin, London, a rented house in Carlow, and one day of work with Daniel Lanois in New Orleans, while Bob Dylan was taking a break from his Lanois sessions.

The album may not have made the same waves in Ireland and the UK as People, but it went No.1 in Australia. 'Give It Up' and Johnny Nash cover 'I Can See Clearly Now' both landed in the UK Top 30 Singles Chart.

Songs From the Rain was released in March 1993. Worldwide sales did not meet label expectations, despite positive reviews and Irish and Australian chart positions. The record label and the band’s management kept the group on the road almost continuously for the entire year. By early 1994, Ó Maonlaí decided that the group was suffering from physical, mental and creative exhaustion, and he called for a year-long sabbatical.

The year-long break turned into several years, as the band members recouped their energy and experienced changes in their personal lives, including divorces, marriages, the birth of children and the death of Ó Maonlaí’s father. The group also split from their long-time manager, and Leo Barnes (saxophone) and Jerry Fehily (drum kit) left the group.

In May 1998 they released Born. By 1999 they had reached the end of their contract with London Records, and both the label and the band decided not to renew. Sheehy and Malone left the group shortly after the release of the record. Dave Clarke joined on drums and O’Toole returned to the bass. In February 2004 the band released their latest album, Into Your Heart, produced by the band and John Reynolds. 'Your Love Goes On' reached No.3 on the Irish charts, as did the album.

2020 saw the release of Let's Do This Thing, following 2006's The Platinum Collection hits compilation.

READ: Hothouse Flowers - Let's Do This Thing.