It was an evening to remember as a who’s who of Irish rock and pop luminaries gathered to support Aslan singer Christy Dignam in his courageous battle against two forms of blood cancer.
Those who didn’t manage to bag a ticket packed into pubs across Dublin in their thousands as A Night For Christy was streamed live to big screens. The gig was also broadcast internationally for the benefit of Aslan fans in Dubai and other far-flung spots.
It started with a plethora of up and coming Irish talent: Royseven’s Paul Walsh, Mal Tuohy and Gar Byrne of The Riptide Movement and Northside crooner Gavin James all momentarily stood in Dighnam’s shoes before things really heated up with the arrival of lovable twins Jedward. To their credit the brothers Grimes didn’t muck-up ‘She’s So Beautiful’, although Billy McGuinness appeared to be working overtime on backing vocals as the crowd fed off the siblings’ mad energy.
The Stunning’s Steve Wall, Danny O’Reilly of The Coronas and The Original Rudeboys all put their stamp on Aslan classics before the arrival of Bressie. “Rihanna in the Aviva hasn’t a patch on this,” declared The Voice Of Ireland judge, once on the receiving end of some stick from Dignam.
His claim was thoroughly justified two songs later when McGuinness – cheered on by a smiling Dignam from one of the boxes – mounted the speakers for an epic, Ryan Sheridan-led ‘Wish You Were Here’ sing-along.
Other performers included Jerry Fish, Mary Black, Gavin Friday, members of Horslips, The Dublin Gospel Choir, the legendary Paul Brady, Adrian Kennedy, Don Mescall and Tom Dunne of Something Happens and Newstalk fame. Between tunes former Virgin Prune Guggi read out messages of love and support from Aslan fans around the world.
Fellow Dubs U2 and Damien Dempsey also got in on the action via live-streamed performances, with Bono and bandmates covering Aslan’s 1986 hit ‘This Is’ live from the Electric Lady Studio in NYC.
Today FM’s Tony Fenton was welcomed onstage to say a few words. Northsider Fenton, himself fighting cancer, was in fine fettle. “When we win this battle we’ll meet at The Bottom Of The Hill in Finglas for a pint,” he promised to roars from the crowd.
The biggest cheer was for Dignam himself. Following an emotional rendition of ‘This Time’ by daughter Kiera, the legendary frontman showed everybody exactly how it should be done.
Christy expressed his appreciation and love for everybody involved before whipping off his suit jacket and launching into the ultimate Aslan anthem ‘Crazy World’, as if he’d never been away. With the crowd still in full voice he left the stage with the words: “See you all again soon.”
No doubt we will Christy. Get well, you legend, you.