Based in New York City, Black 47 is a Celtic rock band made up of Irish expatriates, formed in the Bronx by Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne in 1989. Their name is derived from 1847, the worst year of the Great Irish Famine.
History
Black 47 began as a two-piece with Larry Kirwan on vocals and electric guitar and Chris Byrne on whistles. Their first performance was in the Bronx on October 2, 1989. During the first year a horn section was added with Fred Parcells on trombone and Geoffrey Blythe on saxophones. Later they were joined by Thomas Hamlin on drums.
In 1991 the band released an eponymous independent album.
The Cars' Ric Ocasek produced "Fire of Freedom" their first major label release in 1993. "Home of the Brave" followed in 1994 with Jerry Harrison serving as producer. In 1996 the band shifted from EMI to Mercury Records. They released "Green Suede Shoes".
In their tenth year together, Black 47 released a limited edition compilation "Ten Bloody Years" and their first live recording "Live In New York City" which took place in the now defunct Wetlands nightclub.
In 2000, founding member Chris Byrne left the band to focus on his solo music project Seancha? and the Unity Squad.
Black 47 have made television appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Gay Byrne's Late Late Show in Ireland.
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Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black 47
Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black 47
