In Memory of The One and Other (The Brother)
By MICK LYNCH
The year was 1941 when Bernard (Benny) Lynch was born in St. Teresa’s Gardens Sheriff Street on the Dublin docks. He lived there until the age of eight, the family then moved to Aran Quay with five kids in tow to a one-bedroom flat (six more eventually).
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| BENNY LYNCH |
At the age of 16, not knowing his destiny, Benny Lynch launched himself into a musical career. He entered a talent contest in the Ritz Ballroom Ballyfermot where the family had since moved.
The contest went on for weeks with such names as Finbar Furey, Charley King, Benny Lynch and the Young Shadows, just to mention a few. There was endless talent but it came down to the final two. Benny and Charley King.
Charley was first up, he came onstage mimicking Charlie Chaplin with a black suit, bowler hat, and cane, strutted his stuff and left.
Next up, Benny Lynch with a guitar hitched over his shoulder as he walked over to the mike. He thrust the pole toward the audience, bowed his head, went up on his toes, rattled his arse, and belted out Teddy Bear. He did Elvis Presley justice.
And give a guess what? Benny the bollocks Lynch won the contest.
Ireland at that time was hustle and bustle with music. The pubs with ballads and sing-songs and work a-plenty. The dance halls were filled with the best showbands. Music was everywhere. It was the Sixties, pre-Celtic Tiger, and a great time in Ireland.
Benny joined a band called the Statesman, a showband, and travelled extensively throughout Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, meeting up with such bands as the Miami (Dickie Rock), The Cadets (Eileen Reid), The Mainliners (Big Tom), The Drifters (Joe Dolan), Earl Gill, Brendan Boyer, and on and on, etc. Endless....a great time to be a musician, what a decade.
After several years on the road, Benny got itchy feet. He packed it in, and decided to emigrate to Canada in search of fame and fortune in the music biz.
Ireland was only coming into the telephone world at the time, so it was hard to contact someone who was far and away, other than to write. We had not heard from Benny in a long while. We knew he had joined a band in Canada. Then, one day, me ma got news that Bernard and the band were coming home and were invited to be special guests on the Late Late Show with Gay Byrne. We were all blown away.
Benny brown bollocks Lynch did it again. The band, the Irish Rebels, were part of a revolution in Irish music in the U.S. and Canada. Bands such as the Wolfe Hounds (the late Danny Burns) and the late Olive Bayle, the Molly Maguires (Ta Byrne), the Jacobites (Frankie Morrisey), Sullivan’s Gypsies (Don Sullivan), Ryan’s Fancy, The Irish Rovers, and many more.
Benny and the boys travelled to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, St. John, Gaspé, Thunder Bay, and the likes. In some cases they played so far north, their only accommodation was an igloo. Another great decade in music.
Benny then headed south to Chicago where in winter ice huts are warmer than houses. Chicago had an extensive Irish music circuit which was into Benny’s barrow. Cold outside but the gig inside was hot, and the stage was his home. He entertained Chicago for eight to 10 years, ‘til finally he found his sunshine.
Moving on down to Florida in 1990 he met his nearest and dearest, Elizabeth and finally settled down, although he still gigged up and down the Florida coast, southern Georgia, and Ohio.
Benny’s music career ended four or five years ago due to a tumour on his brain which impeded his memory. We got a call in October 2004 from Elizabeth that Benny had to have surgery. I flew to Florida and spent two months with him helping out the best I could. I bonded with their two children Cíara (13) and Kevin Seamus (3).
Under the circumstances with Benny knocking on heaven’s door, I had some of the most memorable moments one could have with the brother. It was the most fun and emotional time ever. Benny laughed all the way to his last curtain call. With his family and friends by his side, the door opened on March 11, 2005.
Benny leaves behind his sweetheart Elizabeth, their two children Cíara and Kevin Seamus, his 10 brothers and sisters: Alice, Peggy, Joseph, Kathleen, Michael, John, Patrick, Rita, Stephen, and Anna Marie. His two other children, Cathy (37) and Craig (35) in Ontario and their mother Collette.
In the months I was with him, lots of family and friends came from Ireland, England, Canada and the United States to say their goodbyes. Special thanks to Harry Beetley (aka nurse Cruella Deville) for being there.
Benny was laid to rest on March 17 in Orlando, Florida. I will miss you in the flesh but never in the soul, you’re in my heart forever. Your one and other (brother) Mickey.
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