Passion for blues inspired music promoter

Passion for blues inspired music promoter
December 18, 2010
The Irish Times

LARRY RODDY: LARRY RODDY was one of the leading promoters and tour organisers for bluegrass, old-time and folk music in Ireland. And he worked tirelessly over the years to promote live blues music.

A founder member of the Irish Blues Appreciation Society, he was responsible for bringing such legendary figures as Johnny Dickinson, Champion Jack Dupree and Mississippi Fred McDowell to Ireland.

He also championed local talent – ranging from guitarists Ed Deane and Henry McCullough to the bands Bees Make Honey and Rodeo.

Hot Press editor Niall Stokes recalled that some of those involved in the early gigs went on to play an important role in the development of Irish music.

“Larry was open to all that breadth of great music, he played a big part in pushing music that was authentic and soulful forward, and in opening Ireland up to a much wider array of influences.”

Seán MacPhilibin of the Séamus Ennis Centre said that Roddy’s humanity and openness stood out in a sometimes cynical industry:

“He gave freely of his time and talents to ensure that tours worked, that artists and musicians were properly looked after and that venues’ needs were met.”

Reviewing a gig at Slattery’s of Capel Street in 1990, Kevin Courtney in this newspaper wrote: “Promoter Larry Roddy has a knack for bringing some very unusual acts into this country, and last Monday he outdid himself by bringing Chicago blues to Dublin in the form of Lefty Dizz.”

Born in Dublin in 1948, he was one of five children of Michael Roddy and his wife Bridget (née Masterson). He grew up in Walkinstown and was educated at Crumlin CBS and Drimnagh Castle.

He joined the Civil Service in 1965, and having worked for many years in the Department of Labour became secretary of the Youth Employment Agency. He took early retirement in 1988, however, to pursue his love of music.

“I couldn’t play, but I had to be close to it,” he told a friend.

Originally he focused exclusively on blues music, featuring groups like the Dave Prim and Dublin Floating Blues bands. With the Folk, Blues and Beyond sessions he took folk and other genres on board, and the venue moved from Slattery’s to Moran’s Hotel.

Peter Rowan and the Foghorn String Band were among the US bands and musicians he promoted, while he also toured with Jeff Muldaur, Tim O’Brien and Chris Smither. And he helped Ira Bernstein, Riley Baugus and Bruce Molsky make a name for themselves in Ireland.

No venue was too big or too small for him. He put on jazz organist Jimmy Smith at the RDS, for example, while he served up other big-name artists in small pub settings.

In addition to his work as a promoter, he booked the acts for the Castlebar International Blues Festival.

After he was treated in hospital for a serious illness in April 2008 a special concert – Rock on Roddy – was held in his honour. Clive Barnes, Kevin Conneff, Paul Brady, Mick Hanly, John Spillane and Freddie White were among the musicians who played to a full house at Poulaphuca, Co Wicklow. The proceeds of the concert, almost €10,000, were donated to the Simon Community.

A devoted fan of Bob Dylan, he organised celebrations in Ireland marking the singer’s 60th and 65th birthdays.

Leaving nothing to chance, before his death he organised the line-up for the 70th birthday celebration next May.

Predeceased last year by his wife Trish, he is survived by his daughters Addy, Kate and Nell and sons Conor, Eoin, Alan and Lar Óg.
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