Felim Drew, singer, actor and son of Ronnie, brings his Remembering Ronnie show to the Culture Date With Dublin 8 Festival this May. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The annual cultural extravaganza celebrates the history, heritage and contemporary life of Dublin 8, and takes place from 4 to 10 of May.
The programme boasts over 100 curated activities, from walking tours and workshops to concerts, late-night parties, theatrical performances. This year, the festival will honour the 300th anniversary of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels with a special series of events.
The Church of St Catherine & St James on Donore Avenue will host Phelim on Thursday 7 May.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m quite partial to loud 70s Rock. A blues geek and I listen to and envy people who play the guitar really well.
How would you describe your music?
The music I play, or rather sing, and accompany myself on guitar is generally associated with a story I want to tell. So it could be something traditional or ballady or something with a blues or jazz edge.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I go through phases with different artists but John Prine, Muddy Waters or k.d. lang would be up there. For Irish folk it would be my Dad, Luke Kelly, Christy Moore and Maura O’Connell.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first gig that I went to that had nothing to do with family was probably UB40 in the RDS about 1986.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The Georgia Peach by Little Richard. About the age of 11 I became obsessive about 50s rock 'n’ roll which led me into blues, soul and jazz.
What’s your favourite song right now?
My favourite song right now is actually an instrumental by Magic Sam with one line that goes, "Looking good, baby!". (It’s called Looking Good).
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The Cadillac stood by the house and the Yanks they were within and the Tinker boys hissed advice hot wire her with a pin, Then we turned and shook as we had a look in the room where the dead man lay, So Big Jim Dwyer paid his last trip to the shores where his fathers lay . . . " - The Body of an American by The Pogues.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Promised Land by Chuck Berry.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Come to see Remembering Ronnie in songs and stories in St Catherine’s and St James’s, Donore Avenue, Dublin 8 on May 7th. Check out my website, which I’ll update just as soon as I’m off this!
Alan Corr
