THE DUBLIN LEGENDS: ‘A very wonderful story’

FOTO: Nejc Zupančič

In the music world, bands whose former members continue to play material they have created and/or performed in their former bands are not unusual. Thin Lizzy returned as Black Star Riders and The Dubliners “came back” as The Dublin Legends.

Just over an hour before the concert that took place at St. Matthäus Evangelical Church, I had the honor of chatting with Sean Cannon, Gerry O’Connor, Paul Watchorn, and Shay Kavanagh. Four Irishmen who form The Dublin Legends.

ROCKER.SI: How are you? Are you satisfied with the responses of the audiences?

SEAN CANNON: Okay, thank you. The tour is very successful. A lot of people have seen and listened to us. Mostly listened (laughs).

ROCKER.SI: With a bunch of concert dates also announced for next year, retirement does not seem to be in sight?

SEAN CANNON: We’ll play as long as it goes. As long as our health permits. “Work to till you drop” (laughs).

GERRY O’CONNOR: We enjoy being on stage. Why should we stop?

ROCKER.SI: When can we expect you in Slovenia?

SEAN CANNON: We would very like to return to Slovenia, especially in the summer, to your coast or to Ljubljana. How’s Andrej Šifrer? Is he still active?

ROCKER.SI: Andrej represents an important face of popular culture. He recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of his studio debut.

SEAN CANNON: Great. What about Vlado Kreslin?

ROCKER.SI: Vlado is also very active. Recently he released a new track and announced the release of his new studio album.

SEAN CANNON: Beautiful.

ROCKER.SI: What about you? Do you plan to release something new any time soon?

SEAN CANNON: We’ll see. It would be nice to release something new.

ROCKER.SI: Although Irish folk music you perform is currently not one of the most popular genres, it seems that the genre still manages to get more and more listeners. What is your opinion on this? Are you satisfied with the scene?

PAUL WATCHORN: I think the scene is still relevant. There are many new musicians who keep the genre alive. Despite these trends, the genre is not dead, so we are not worried about its future.

ROCKER.SI: Sean, congratulations for your recent birthday.

SEAN CANNON: Thank you very much. What a high number [79], don’t you think (laughs)?

ROCKER.SI: How are you?

SEAN CANNON: Very good for my age, thank you (laughs).

FOTO: Nejc Zupančič

ROCKER.SI: Let’s talk about your membership in The Dubliners. What do you think about the band’s legacy?

SEAN CANNON: It’s a very wonderful story, for which I am immensely grateful.

It is interesting, however, that despite the fact that the creation or playing of music in my family was not unknown, I knew absolutely nothing about folk music until the mid-1960s. Things started to change when a friend invited me to a club where they played the genre.

Over the next decade, as a musician, I played almost every club in the country. I also met The Dubliners this way, with whom I did some sessions. I became their member because of the departure of Luke Kelly, who left the band due to illness.

ROCKER.SI: Gentlemen, thank you for your time. Do you have any final thoughts?

SEAN CANNON: Thank you. I hope we will return to Slovenia soon.

PAUL WATCHORN: I hope so, too.

GERRY O’CONNOR: Greetings to all of you who will read our conversation.

SHAY KAVANAGH: Thanks for your time. I also join the wishes of my colleagues and hope that we will return to Slovenia soon.