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VAN MORRISON
Might seem a bit of a leap from the Jedward twins to Van the Man, but that’s how we roll. A Belfast Boy, the “Van” comes from his middle name, Ivan. Mr Morrison’s real first name is George! Who knew!
Most famous for his hits “Moondance” and “Brown Eyed Girl” Van started out in the mid-sixties with his band, “Them” (whose hit, “Here Comes the Night” almost entitles them to a listing of their own) before going solo and releasing his breakthrough album, “Astral Weeks”, voted top Irish album of all time in a poll conducted by Hot Press magazine in 2009.
Okay so we’re stretching the “pop act” part a fair bit, but no celebration of Irish music and St Patrick’s Day would be complete without a mention of Phil Lynott and crew. Their history is entwined with Van Morrison and “Them”, as two of the founding members, Eric Bell and Eric Wrixon had previously played with Morrison’s band.
Most popular songs include “Whiskey in the Jar” and “The Boys are Back in Town”. It’s a certainty you’ll hear at least one of them at any St Pat’s celebration.
Lead singer Phil Lynott died in 1986, but the band still plays these days in various forms, most recently announcing in March last year that they would tour Australia (where they are still very popular due to the large Irish ex-pat population).
THIN LIZZY