Biography
In 1977 four of Stockton's Wing's five founders, each already an individual All-Ireland champion, united in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, to launch the progressive ensemble. Victory in a talent competition followed shortly. Tara Records signed the group the next year, resulting in the self-titled debut album. The four titleholders were Kieran Hanrahan, Maurice Lennon, Paul Roche, and Tommy Hayes, while Tony Callinan completed the original lineup. The first personnel shift came in 1979 when Mike Hanrahan, Kieran's brother, replaced Callinan as singer and songwriter. Tara released Take a Chance in 1980. Prolonged touring brought the band to Ireland's Ballisodare Folk Festival, after which Australian didgeridoo player and bassist Steve Cooney joined.
The 1982 album Light in the Western Sky signaled a decisive turn toward original songs rather than traditional material and produced the hit singles "Walk Away" and "Beautiful Affair"; "The Golden Stud" fused Irish and Aboriginal approaches in a striking manner. Tommy Hayes exited in 1983 and keyboardist Peter Keenan plus drummer Fran Breen entered. The new configuration documented a concert on the 1985 live album Take One. Full Flight appeared the following year and yielded four hits: "So Many Miles," "New Clare Revival," "Avondale," and "Why Wait Until Tomorrow."
After Cooney produced Celtic Roots the band performed at major U.S. festivals. By 1988 the members had returned to Ireland for a Cork concert shared with Michael Jackson. In 1989 they appeared in Dublin with Sammy Davis Jr. during Frank Sinatra's tour that also featured Liza Minnelli. Kieran Hanrahan, Cooney, and Breen departed in 1991; Davey McNevin arrived on mandolin and banjo, steering the group toward a purely acoustic approach that eliminated bass and drums. The Stockton's Wing Collection compilation was issued and Tara renewed the contract. Early in 1992 Bill Whelan produced the all-original album The Crooked Rose.
Eamon McElholm from County Tyrone joined in 1994, taking Hanrahan's place as the latter pursued a solo career. McElholm received the PRS/John Lennon Songwriters Award, and his songwriting first appeared on the 1995 album Letting Go.
The 1982 album Light in the Western Sky signaled a decisive turn toward original songs rather than traditional material and produced the hit singles "Walk Away" and "Beautiful Affair"; "The Golden Stud" fused Irish and Aboriginal approaches in a striking manner. Tommy Hayes exited in 1983 and keyboardist Peter Keenan plus drummer Fran Breen entered. The new configuration documented a concert on the 1985 live album Take One. Full Flight appeared the following year and yielded four hits: "So Many Miles," "New Clare Revival," "Avondale," and "Why Wait Until Tomorrow."
After Cooney produced Celtic Roots the band performed at major U.S. festivals. By 1988 the members had returned to Ireland for a Cork concert shared with Michael Jackson. In 1989 they appeared in Dublin with Sammy Davis Jr. during Frank Sinatra's tour that also featured Liza Minnelli. Kieran Hanrahan, Cooney, and Breen departed in 1991; Davey McNevin arrived on mandolin and banjo, steering the group toward a purely acoustic approach that eliminated bass and drums. The Stockton's Wing Collection compilation was issued and Tara renewed the contract. Early in 1992 Bill Whelan produced the all-original album The Crooked Rose.
Eamon McElholm from County Tyrone joined in 1994, taking Hanrahan's place as the latter pursued a solo career. McElholm received the PRS/John Lennon Songwriters Award, and his songwriting first appeared on the 1995 album Letting Go.
Albums
