Welcome to The Stocktons Wing Page -
Three shows at the 2018 Fleadh in Drogheda
Wed 15th August The prestigious Flanagan Brothers award will be presented to founding member Kieran Hanrahan
The show will feature a very rare Wing line up with Kieran, Tommy Hayes, Paul Roches Maurice Lennon and Mike Hanrahan as they performed back in the days of Take A Chance, released in 1980 to critical acclaim.
Upcoming shows
2018
https://ticketstop.ie/view.php?id=1935
Fleadh gigs in Drogheda The Headline
Agency
Madeleine Seiler 39 Churchfields Milltown Dublin 14
Email: madeleine@theheadlineagency.com
Tel: 01 260 2560 mobile: 087 247 5791
www.theheadlineagency.com
STOCKTONS WING CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE 2018
Following the critical success of their reunion tour to celebrate 40
years of Stocktons Wing the band will continue to perform throughout 2018
and beyond. In October 2017 the band were the proud recipients of a prestigious
civic reception presented by the Clare County Council at there headquarters
in Ennis. It was a momentous occasion and the memory is cherished by band
members and their families.
A new song written by Mike Hanrahan “We Had it all” will be
released in May 2018, the first Stocktons Wing release for many years
and plans are in place to record a new CD before the end of the year.
Meanwhile a series of shows have been added around Ireland for the coming
months.
The line up includes:
Mike Hanrahan (vocals & guitar), Paul Roche (flute & tin whistle),
Tommy Hayes (percussion, bodhran, spoons), Tara Breen ( fiddle) and Karol
Lynch on (banjo & mandolin)
Stockton’s Wing began their career in Ennis sometime in 1977 with Kieran Hanrahan on banjo, mandolin and harmonica, Paul Roche on Flute and whistle, Maurice Lennon on fiddle, Tommy Hayes on Bodhran, spoons and bones and Tony Callinan on guitar and vocals. The name Stockton’s Wing came from a Bruce Springsteen song, “Backstreets” from the album “Born to Run”. “ Slow dancing on a moonlit street at Stockton’s Wing, where desperate lovers park to meet the last of the Duke Street Kings.”
The band signed a deal with Tara records after winning the Trad section of a music contest in Limerick. A group called U2 won the rock section.
Stockton’s Wing first album, produced by Clareman PJ Curtis received rave reviews from national and international press.
Singer/songwriter Mike Hanrahan replaced Tony Callinan in 1979. Mike had spent the previous few years with singer Maura O’Connell in Tumbleweed. In 1980 Stocktons Wing released their second album on Tara “Take a Chance”. The album featured some original music and marked the arrival of a progressive, creative and original force into the world of Irish music. Following the success of the album, they toured extensively, creating a storm of enthusiasm at major Folk Festivals across Europe.
At Ballisodare Folk Festival in the west of Ireland, they met with Australian,
Steve Cooney, who joined forces shortly afterwards, playing bass guitar
and didgeridoo.
In 1982, the Band released their third album "Light in the Western
Sky" - a highly polished album which represented a significant shift
in their musical direction, focusing more on the band's creative original
material. The album featured two hit singles, written by Mike Hanrahan,
"Beautiful Affair" and "Walk Away." It also featured
a haunting composition "The Golden Stud" a combination of Aboriginal
and Irish music. The album was produced by PJ Curtis. It is regarded by
many as one of the great innovative recordings in Irish music.
They signed to an American agency and toured extensively throughout the
states playing theatres and major music festivals. After listening to
the band, a critic for the New York Times wrote: “they were eclectic,
electric, passionate, personal, innovative and powerful.”
In 1985, a live album “Stockton’s Wing Live-Take One”
was recorded in Galway and Dublin. Produced by Bill Whelan and it certainly
captured that ‘eclectic, electric’ sound.
Tours of America, Canada, Europe and Australia kept the band away from recording studios until the autumn of 1986 when they recorded their fifth album “Full Flight”. The album contained no less than four hit singles “Why Wait Until Tomorrow”, “Avondale”, “New Clare Revival” and “So many Miles”. Their sixth album, “ Celtic Roots Revival” produced by Steve Cooney received critical acclaim in America where the group continued to headline major music festivals.
In the summer of 1988 they shared the stage for both nights with Michael Jackson in Cork. The following year they made a guest appearance with Sammy Davis Jnr. in Dublin as part of his world tour with Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. In 1990 Stockton’s Wing went on location to take part in the Noel Pearson/Jim Sheridan film production of the John B. Keane play “The Field” which featured Oscar nominee Richard Harris and John Hurt.
Beautiful Affair was voted into the top 75 songs in the history of RTE radio, and Today FM voted the song no 7 in a top 20 all time poll of Irish songs.
In November 2003 Stockton’s Wing held their first reunion concert in their hometown of Ennis, Co. Clare, which was a huge success with over 1200 people packed into the West County Hotel. In the words of the band’s producer PJ Curtis “what an extraordinary, amazing, mind-blowing concert the Wing delivered last night. I’m still spinning from it. It was TRIUMPHANT! No other word for it. Such an incredible turn out… and the music and the vibe, Ronnie Drew too who was pure magic as usual, made it a NIGTH TO REMEMBER!!! It rates as one of the top gigs of the decade for me…”
For further information please contact Madeleine Seiler at 01 260 2560
or 087 2475791
2017 40 years anniversary gigs planned for later this year. Gigs with Leslie , Stocktons Wing and Roy Buckley
Mike sings his songs at Sunflower club Belfast April 6th.
Stocktons Wing live gigs to celebrate 40 years of Wing music.
Apr 20th Draoicht theatre Blanchardstown
June 16th Glengarrif Festival
July 8th. Mermaid Theatre Bray
July 20th Munroes Galway
Aug 6th. Ballyshannon folk festival
Aug 18th. West County Ennis Fleadh
Aug 26th Ballykeefe Amphitheatre Kilkenny
Sept 6th Clifden Arts
contact stocktonswingmusic@gmail.com
Tommy Hayes, Karol Lynch,Tara Breen, Mike Hanrahan, Paul Roche, Steve Cooney
Stocktons Wing are back performing after many years away from the music except for the odd reunion show. After a very successful run of gigs at The Temple Bar tradfest 2016 the band have decided to get back to play venues and festivals. There are no immediate plans for recording but that is a consideration.
Stocktons Wing began their career in Ennis sometime in 1977 with Kieran
Hanrahan on banjo , mandolin and harmonica, Paul Roche on Flute and whistle,
Maurice Lennon on fiddle, Tommy Hayes on Bodhran, spoons and bones and
Tony Callinan on guitar and vocals. The name Stocktons Wing came from
a Bruce Springsteen song, “Backstreets” from the album “Born
to Run”
“ Slow dancing on a moonlit street at Stocktons Wing, where desperate
lovers park to meet the last of the Duke street kings.”
The band signed a deal with Tara records after winning the Trad section
of a music contest in Limerick. A group called U2 won the rock section.
Stocktons Wing first album, produced by Clareman PJ Curtis received rave
reviews from national and international press
Singer/songwriter, Mike Hanrahan, after spending a couple of years with
Maura O Connell in a duo called Tumbleweed, replaced Tony Callinan in
1979 and in the spring of 1980 they released their second album on Tara
"Take a Chance." The album featured some original music and
marked the arrival of a progressive, creative and original force into
the world of Irish music. Following the success of the album, they toured
extensively, creating a storm of enthusiasm at major Folk Festivals across
Europe.
At Ballisodare Folk Festival in the west of Ireland, they met with Australian,
Steve Cooney, who joined forces shortly afterwards, playing bass guitar
and didgeridoo. In 1982, the Band released their third album "Light
in the Western Sky" - a highly polished album which represented a
significant shift in their musical direction, focusing more on the band's
creative original material. The album featured two hit singles, written
by Mike Hanrahan, "Beautiful Affair" and "Walk Away."
It also featured a haunting composition "The Golden Stud" a
combination of Aboriginal and Irish music. The album was produced by PJ
Curtis.
Percussionist, Tommy Hayes, left the band in 1983 and was replaced by
Fran Breen on drums and Peter Keenan on keyboards. After listening to
the band, a critic for the New York Times wrote "they were eclectic,
electric, passionate, personal, innovative and powerful." In 1985,
a live album "Stockton's Wing Live - Take One" was recorded
in Galway and Dublin, produced by Bill Whelan, capturing that 'eclectic,
electric' sound and enjoyed major success.
Tours of America, Canada, Europe and Australia kept the band away from
the recording studios until the autumn of 1986 when they recorded their
fifth album "Full Flight." The album contained no less than
four hit singles - "Why Wait Until Tomorrow", "Avondale",
"New Clare Revival" and "So Many Miles." The group's
sixth album, produced by Steve Cooney, received critical acclaim in America
where the group headlined many major music festivals.
In the summer of 1988 they shared the stage with Michael Jackson in Cork.
The following year they made a guest appearance with Sammy Davis Jnr.
in Dublin as part of his world tour with Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli.
In 1990 Stockton's Wing went on location to take part in the Noel Pearson/Jim
Sheridan film production of the John B. Keane play "The Field"
which featured Oscar nominee Richard Harris and John Hurt.
Beautiful Affair was voted into the top 75 songs in the history of RTE
radio.
Today FM voted the song no 7 in a top 20 all time poll of Irish songs.
Mike Hanrahan, Paul Roche, Steve Cooney and Tommy Hayes are joined by
clare musicians Tara Breen on fiddle and Karol Lynch on banjo and mandolin.
In November 2003 Stockton's Wing held their first reunion concert in their
home town of Ennis, Co. Clare. The concert was a hugh sucess with over
1200 people packed into the West County Hotel. In the words of the band's
producer PJ Curtis "what an extraordinary, amazing, mind-blowing
concert the Wing delivered last night. I'm still spinning from it. It
was TRIUMPHANT!..no other word for it....such an incredible turn-out....and
the music and the vibe (Ronnie (Drew)too...who was pure magic as usual)
made it a NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!! It rates as one of the top gigs of the
decade for me..."
Stocktons Wing), 1978
Take a Chance 1980
Light in the Western Sky, 1982
American Special, 1984/85
Take One Live 1985
Full Flight, 1986
Celtic Roots Revival, 1988
The Collection 1991
The Crooked Rose, 1992
Letting Go, 1995
The Very Best of Irish Jigs, Reels & Songs 2005
Live - Take One (re-release) 200
1
2006 Take One 1985 Live CD reissue Tara Records
Milwaukee
fest
With Bela Fleck
The music of Stockton's Wing has evolved into an exciting
lend of traditional and contemporary Irish music and song, performed with
power and precision by some of the finest musicians in Ireland. Back in
1977, in Ennis, Co. Clare, the five member group including all-Ireland
champions, Paul Roche, Maurice Lennon, Kieran Hanrahan and Tommy Hayes
with Tony Callinan won the traditional section of a Guinness sponsored
talent competition in Limerick (the rock section was won by a little known
group from Mount Temple School, called U2). As a result of this competition
they secured a recording contract with Tara Records and released their
debut album, Stockton's Wing.
Singer/songwriter, Mike Hanrahan, replaced Tony Callinan in 1979 and in
the spring of 1980 they released their second album on Tara "Take
a Chance." The album featured some original music and marked the
arrival of a progressive force into the world of Irish music. Following
the success of the album, they toured extensively, creating a storm of
enthusiasm at major Folk Festivals across Europe.
At Ballisodare Folk Festival in the west of Ireland, they met with Australian,
Steve Cooney, who joined forces shortly afterwards, playing bass guitar
and didgeridoo. In 1982, the Band released their third album "Light
in the Western Sky" - a highly polished album which represented a
significant shift in their musical direction, focusing more on the band's
creative original material. The album featured two hit singles "Beautiful
Affair" and "Walk Away." It also featured a haunting composition
"The Golden Stud" a combination of Aboriginal and Irish music.
Percussionist, Tommy Hayes, left the band in 1983 and was replaced by
Fran Breen on drums and Peter Keenan on keyboards. After listening to
the band, a critic for the New York Times wrote "they were eclectic,
electric, passionate, personal, innovative and powerful." In 1985,
a live album "Stockton's Wing Live - Take One" was recorded
in Galway and Dublin capturing that 'eclectic, electric' sound and enjoyed
major success This album will be re-released on CD in the coming months
on the Tara Music label.
Tours of America, Canada, Europe and Australia kept the band away from
the recording studios until the autumn of 1986 when they recorded their
fifth album "Full Flight." The album contained no less than
four hit singles - "Why Wait Until Tomorrow", "Avondale",
"New Clare Revival" and "So Many Miles." The group's
sixth album, produced by Steve Cooney, received critical acclaim in America
where the group headlined many major music festivals.
In the summer of 1988 they shared the stage with Michael Jackson in Cork.
The following year they made a guest appearance with Sammy Davis Jnr.
in Dublin as part of his world tour with Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli.
In 1990 Stockton's Wing went on location to take part in the Noel Pearson/Jim
Sheridan film production of the John B. Keane play "The Field"
which featured Oscar nominee Richard Harris and John Hurt.
In 1991 Kieran Hanrahan was replaced by Davey McNevin on banjo and mandolin.
Drums and bass guitar were dropped from the lineup, shifting the musical
emphasis to an acoustic based sound. With the release by Tara Records
of a compilation of the best of the Band's earlier work called The Stockton's
Wing Collection, they renewed their contract with Tara and together with
producer Bill Whelan, recorded their seventh album The Crooked Rose in
January 1992. The album of original music highlights the excitement, drive
and virtuosity of each individual musician and creates the sound that
will keep Stockton's Wing to the forefront of contemporary and traditional
Irish music.
In July, 1994, Stockton's introduced to the lineup the award-winning young
singer/songwriter from Omagh, Co. Tyrone - Eamon McElholm. He replaces
Mike Hanrahan who retired from the Band to follow a solo career. Eamon
is a recipient of the revered PRS/John Lennon Songwriters Award and reinforces
the band's reputation for musical excellence with his live performances
and songwriting skills. 1995 saw the release of the Letting Go album which
featured Eamon's songwriting talents.
In November 2003 Stockton's Wing held a reunion concert in their home
town of Ennis, Co. Clare. Founding members, Kieran Hanrahan, Paul Roche,
Maurice Lennon and Tommy Hayes, were joined by long-time band member Mike
Hanrahan. The concert was a hugh sucess with over 1200 people packed into
the West County Hotel. In the words of the band's producer PJ Curtis "what
an extraordinary, amazing, mind-blowing concert the Wing delivered last
night. I'm still spinning from it. It was TRIUMPHANT!..no other word for
it....such an incredible turn-out....and the music and the vibe (Ronnie
too...who was pure magic as usual) made it a NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!! It rates
as one of the top gigs of the decade for me..."
Traditional/Folk
Stockton’s Wing review from Gerry Quinn at The Irish Examiner
West County, Ennis
Saturday January 31st 2008
Four stars ****
The enormous drawing power of 70’s/80’s traditional group Stockton’s Wing was confirmed on Saturday night last, with 1,500 devotees showing up in the band’s home-town for a once-off, rollicking romp through their eclectic back catalogue. Minus the talents of the Wing’s regular banjo/mandolin player Kieran Hanrahan for the night, his absence was more than made up for by a sterling display from stand-in Enda Scahill. The Galway man’s ornate mandolin began the show with ‘Drops of Brandy’, as Maurice Lennon’s compelling fiddle soared over and gradually cajoled the other group members into the icebreaker - laying down a definite marker for a rambunctious and utterly compelling performance.
‘Miss McLeod’s Reel’ affords the basic footing for
Mike Hanrahan’s ‘Beneath The Shade’, with Paul Roche’s
lilting whistle lifting the song
to lofty and lark-like heights. The introduction of guests, Tony Molloy
(bass), Steve Flaherty (electric guitar) and Danny Byrt (drums), generated
an upsurge in intensity, particularly on ‘Walk Away’, with
Flaherty’s searing solo adding an extra dimension to the popular
song. Guest singer, Eleanor Shanley rendered a rousing version of Stephen
Foster’s ‘Hard Times’, while an innovative bodhrán
solo by the peerless Tommy Hayes added to the diverse and entertaining
nature of the overall presentation.
The low-key, banjo/jaw’s harp introduction from Scahill/Hayes to
‘The Maid Behind The Bar’, signalled a calm-before-the-storm
approach, culminating in a manic and uninhibited version of the old reel.
With a fiddle/flute/banjo axis, underpinned by Byrt’s Ceili band
style drumming,
an explosive Chicago Reel extracted gasps and howls of approval from the
large and frivolous audience. Though hindered somewhat by an obdurate
room, sound-wise and pockets of boisterous revellers in the throng, Stockton’s
Wing magnificently soared above perceived adversity to produce a memorable
and satisfying recital that hopefully will re-emerge again, in the not
too distant future. Gerry Quinn
Gig to be announced for Jan 2009 Stay tuned
July 07 look out for a show in December in Ennis this year. Its looking good.
There may be some shows this year. Its possible that the lads will get together for the Legends of Folk series of gigs in Dublin and Cork.
Meanwhile...............
Beautiful Affair Archive video from Self Aid Concert, Dublin 1985
Listen to Stockton's Wing on Internet Radio
BEAUTIFUL AFFAIR VOTED NO 7 in TODAY FM POLL OF BEST 25 SONGS IN THE LAST 25 YEARS. Magnificent result. Thanks to all who voted. Check out Mikes News Page for comments.
STOCKTON'S WING REUNION GIG
VICAR STREET WAS A MAJOR SUCCESS AND THE LADS HOPE TO GET TOGETHER FOR A FEW GIGS IN 2005. WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON ANY DEVELOPMENTS.
If you wish to contact in relation to the Wing Reunion please e-mail
Stocktons Wing "light in The Western Sky reunion"
at Vicar Street, Dublin May 15th 2004
RONNIE DREW AND SEAN KEANE (Chieftains) were special
guests on the evening.
STOCKTONS WING
In 1982 Stocktons Wing made their seminal recording 'Light in the Western
Sky' featuring band members Kieran Hanrahan (Banjo and Mandolin), Mike
Hanrahan (Guitar and vocals), Maurice Lennon (Fiddle and Viola), Paul
Roche (Flute and Whistles) and Tommy Hayes (Bodhran, spoons and percussion)
Remember..... Beautiful Affair, Walk Away, The Belltable, The Golden Stud...The
line up that gave you this innovative and exciting music are delighted
to return to the stage in their home town of Ennis in Co.Clare.
In the early eighties the band toured their unique blend of Traditional
and Contemporary Irish music the length and breath of the globe entertaining
audiences wherever they performed. It is almost twenty years since this
particular line shared the stage and in the intervening years each of
the lads have continued to carve out successful individual careers in
the music industry. The great success of a recent Charity gig in Ennis
prompted the notion of a Dublin show.
" It's twenty years since Mike, Maurice, Paul, Tommy and I played
together on stage. We're very excited about the gig at Vicar Street and
we're looking forward to a great night " Kieran Hanrahan . Kieran
is the presenter of RTE Radio's flagship traditional music programme Ceili
House
" It will be a special night for the band and our fans who constantly
request the return of this particular line up" Mike Hanrahan. Mike
has a successful solo career with two CD releases, performs and records
with Ronnie Drew and is currently Chairman of IMRO Irish Music Rights
Organisation.
The Band recently came together for the first time in twenty years to play a benefit gig in Ennis. Here are some of the comments:
" I recorded with the lads many years ago and I have always loved their style of music, honest and straightforward and never afraid to take the odd chance. They have not lost any of the fire and if anything only got much better. It was an amazing performance" Ronnie Drew
A more passionate and powerful gig has not been witnessed in the Clare
town in recent times. "Light in the Western Sky" probably the
group's finest album provided a satisfying source for some of the finer
moments of this excellent concert. Instrumentals like "The Belltable"
and "The Golden Stud" showcased their highly innovative approach
to arranging and presenting traditional tunes, while songs like "Walk
Away" and "Beautiful Affair" reaffirmed the reason why
Stockton's Wing crossed over successfully into a more pop/folk market
at the time.
Gerry Quinn, Irish Examiner
"what an extraordinary, amazing, mind-blowing concert
the Wing delivered last night. I'm still spinning from it. It was TRIUMPHANT!..no
other word for it....such an incredible turn-out....and the music and
the vibe made it a NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!! It rates as one of the top gigs
of the decade for me..."
PJ CURTIS, Broadcaster, writer and Producer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 2003 Reunion gig
Thanks to all who supported the re union gig.We are delighted to report that it was the most memorable of occasions. A full house who cheered the great talent that is Ronnie Drew and welcomed the return of Stockton's Wing to the stage after so many years. We had an extra guest, thirteen year old fiddle player Tara Breen, whose talent is quite special.
Orla Platten and Footsteps Downs Syndrome (Clare) were the
main beneficiaries but 1400 music fans, Ronnie Drew, Tara Breen, Kieran
Hanrahan, Paul Roche, Mike Hanrahan, Maurice Lennon and Tommy Hayes have
all added a new room to their memory and it is filled with Jigs, reels,
songs, stories, the incredible audience reaction and participation and
an amazing buzz that filled the room to make this event a "should
have been there gig"
As PJ Curtis put it:
"what an extraordinary, amazing, mind-blowing concert the Wing delivered last night. I'm still spinning from it. It was TRIUMPHANT!..no other word for it....such an incredible turn-out....and the music and the vibe (Ronnie too...who was pure magic as usual) made it a NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!! It rates as one of the top gigs of the decade for me..."
And so say all of us at mikehanrahan.com, Stocktons Wing, Footsteps Downs Syndrome (Clare) and Orla Platten.
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HELPED IN SO MANY WAYS TO ENSURE A GREAT SUCCESS
Gig Review
By Gerry Quinn
Irish Examiner Tue Dec 2nd 2003.
gquinn.ennis@eircom.net
A palpable drone of expectation gathered around Ennis' West County Hotel's
function room prior to the appearance of Stockton's Wing for a once-off
benefit concert in aid of Down Syndrome Awareness, and in particular the
plight of 4 year old Orla Platten who suffers from atlanto-axial subluxation.
Twenty years had passed since this assemblage of Kieran Hanrahan, Tommy
Hayes, Paul Roche, Maurice Lennon and Mike Hanrahan played on stage together
and now 1400 fans eagerly awaited
the sound of fiery traditional music, the hallmark of a group who blazed
a trail around the world in the late seventies and right throughout the
eighties.
Though varying ensembles have traded under the moniker in the interim,
this was the Stockton's Wing line-up that many saw as being the most creative
and distinctive in the band's long career. The large audience shoe-horned
into the venue were not disappointed. A more passionate
and powerful gig has not been witnessed in the Clare town in recent times.
Given the fact that little Orla is the niece of the Hanrahan siblings,
and Ennis was the birthplace of the "Wing" back in 1977, it
was clear that
the regrouped quintet were always going to be faced with a partisan welcome.
Yet the boys did not rest on their laurels and produced a balanced set
of instrumental virtuosity interspersed with plaintiff and melodic vocals.
"Light in the Western Sky" probably the group's finest album
provided
a satisfying source for some of the finer moments of this excellent concert.
Instrumentals like "The Belltable" and "The Golden Stud"
showcased their highly innovative approach to arranging and presenting
traditional tunes, while songs like "Walk Away" and "Beautiful
Affair" reaffirmed the reason why Stockton's Wing crossed over successfully
into a more pop/folk market at the time.
The addition of "Dervish" members Tom Morrow on fiddle and Shane Mitchell on accordion for two sets of tunes, added to the frantic nature of the gig, but it was Ronnie Drew's collaboration that drew the bulk of approval from the ecstatic attendance. Earlier in the night the Dubliner had performed a potent set to a capricious and vacillating congregation, but on this occasion in the company of the home-town heroes, the hirsuted legend delivering "Now I'm Easy" and Mike Hanrahan's "We Had It All", had the large crowd spell-bound.
Other highlights included percussionist Tommy Hayes' spoon playing, while Paul Roche paid special tribute to the late Micho Russell with a fantastic rendition of "The Boy in the Gap" on the whistle. Good-natured fun, coupled with intense and passionate playing elevated this gig to that of epic proportions. The meritorious cause benefited immensely from the band's laudable and dynamic musical efforts, and the uproarious audience reaction added to the incredible buzz generated.
As a footnote, the fiddle playing of thirteen year old Tara Breen who
opened the show, emphasised the fact that the conveyor-belt of traditional
talent that exhibits prodigious Clare musicians, is as productive as ever:
definitely one for the future.
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