Paul Brady, Mary Coughlan, Scullion & Brian Downey Among Dozens Set For Robbie Brennan Gig

Legendary Irish drummer Robbie Brennan, who died earlier this year, will be celebrated in a special gig, scheduled for the Olympia Theatre in September.

Hot Press has confirmed that among the stars lined-up for what promises to be a very special night’s music are the band with whom Robbie is most frequently associated, Stepaside, as well as Paul Brady, Mary Coughlan, Scullion, Philip Donnelly, Brush, Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy), Ed Deane – and many more. The gig takes place on Monday, September 26. All proceeds from the Olympia show will go to Merchant’s Quay Ireland, Helping The Homeless.

The comperes on the night are Pat Egan, Stevie Bolger, Danny Hughes, Eamonn McCann, Niall Stokes, Pat Byrne and Jonathan Ryan. The gig is being organized by Terry O’Neill, with Stepaside’s Brendan Bonass. Tickets (€20/25/30) can be purchased from the Olympia box office and from Ticketmaster.

Originally from Blackrock, in Co. Dublin, Robbie was a hugely gifted musician, who played with many of Ireland’s biggest and most important outfits of the past 40+ years. From the mid-1960s he was a member of the now legendary Chosen Few with Deke O’Brien, Mick Molloy and Paul Ashford and was in Rootzgroup with Paul Brady and Jonathan Ryan. In 1968, he joined Skid Row, with Phil Lynott, Gary Moore and Brush.

During the 1970s, Robbie was part of Scullion with Philip King, Sonny Condell and Greg Boland; Auto Da Fe with Gay Woods and Trevor Knight; and, later, he was also involved in Phil Lynott’s solo projects, including the band, Grand Slam.

Robbie recorded with dozens of artistes, including Dr. Strangely Strange, Tim and Heather Parr’s Elemental in LA with Stepaside’s Kevin Strong on keyboards, Dermot and Niall Stokes’ band The Brothers and on Christy Moore’s album, Whatever Tickles. Robbie was also part of Hotfoot with Pat Collins, and the late Declan McNelis, Jimmy Gibson and Jimmy Faulkner. He also played with Clannad. However, he was probably best known in Ireland as the drummer with pub rock stalwarts, Stepaside. He has played in bands formed by Mary Coughlan, Paul Brady and Philip Donnelly and famously toured with one of the founding giants of Rock’n’Roll, the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis.

The full list of musicians and bands who will participate on the night reads, in alphabetical order: Aja, Auto Da Fé, Brendan Bonass, Greg Boland, Paul Brady, Brush, Noel Bridgeman, Richie Buckley, Sonny Condell, Mark Costigan, Mary Coughlan, Barry Crossen, Ed Deane, Donie Deveney, Philip Donnelly, Brian Downey, Paul Fairclough, Pat Farrell, Dick Farrelly, Garvan Gallagher, Bree Harris, Honor Heffernan, Tom Jamieson, Robbie Kane, John K., Dave Keary, John Keogh, Philip King, Donal Kirk, Paul Kelly, Trevor Knight, Frankie Lane, Left Right & Centre, Dave 'Gonzo' Macananey, Kevin Malone, Chris Meehan, Mick Molloy, Tommy Moore, Nigel Mooney, Deke O'Brien, Robbie Overson, Rod Quinn, Jerome Rimson, Rootzgroup, Jonathan Ryan, Scullion, Wayne Sheehy, Jimmy Smyth, Stepaside, Niall Stokes, Kevin Strong, TJM Tutty, Richie Walsh, Gay Woods and many more, inc.
Noel Bridgeman's Drummers for Robbie.