Brendan O'Dowda
Encyclopedia
Brendan O'Dowda was an Irish
tenor
who popularised the songs of Percy French.
O'Dowda was born in Dundalk
, County Louth
and was educated at the De la Salle Brothers' school
in the town. His early promise as a singer brought him to the attention of Dr. Vincent O'Brien, who had taught John McCormack. Under O'Brien's tutelage, O'Dowda developed a fine tenor voice and began to perform at charity events throughout the country.
Although offered a career in opera, O'Dowda was drawn to popular music and, in the early 1950s, he moved to England in order to advance his prospects. There, he formed The Four Ramblers musical group with Val Doonican
. Subsequently he enjoyed solo success on BBC Radio
, guesting on programmes such as Just A Song At Twilight and Music for You.
O'Dowda's first album, Emerald and Tartan, included two songs by Percy French. Such was its success that he followed it in 1958 with The Immortal Percy French, an album devoted entirely to the work of the Irish songwriter.
From then on, O'Dowda became closely identified with French's songs. He created a one-man show around the life and work of Percy French. In 1981, his biography of the composer, The World of Percy French, was published.
O'Dowda enjoyed considerable international recognition. He toured the USA, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show. He performed a duet with Ruby Murray
on the soundtrack of the 1959 film, Darby O'Gill and the Little People
.
O'Dowda was married to Alice Boyle with whom he had seven children. He died in hospital near his home in Southampton
, England
at the age of 76, and is buried in Esker Cemetery, Lucan, County Dublin
.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
who popularised the songs of Percy French.
O'Dowda was born in Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
and was educated at the De la Salle Brothers' school
De La Salle College Dundalk
De La Salle College, Dundalk is a post-primary school in County Louth. The college is an all-boys' school, however it does offer a co-educational repeat Leaving Certificate year.-History:...
in the town. His early promise as a singer brought him to the attention of Dr. Vincent O'Brien, who had taught John McCormack. Under O'Brien's tutelage, O'Dowda developed a fine tenor voice and began to perform at charity events throughout the country.
Although offered a career in opera, O'Dowda was drawn to popular music and, in the early 1950s, he moved to England in order to advance his prospects. There, he formed The Four Ramblers musical group with Val Doonican
Val Doonican
Val Doonican is an Irish singer. From 1965 to 1986 he was a regular fixture on the BBC Television's schedule with The Val Doonican Show, which featured his own singing performances and a variety of guest artists...
. Subsequently he enjoyed solo success on BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
, guesting on programmes such as Just A Song At Twilight and Music for You.
O'Dowda's first album, Emerald and Tartan, included two songs by Percy French. Such was its success that he followed it in 1958 with The Immortal Percy French, an album devoted entirely to the work of the Irish songwriter.
From then on, O'Dowda became closely identified with French's songs. He created a one-man show around the life and work of Percy French. In 1981, his biography of the composer, The World of Percy French, was published.
O'Dowda enjoyed considerable international recognition. He toured the USA, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show. He performed a duet with Ruby Murray
Ruby Murray
Ruby Murray was one of the most popular singers in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 1950s. In 1955 alone, she secured seven Top 10 UK hit singles.-Child star:...
on the soundtrack of the 1959 film, Darby O'Gill and the Little People
Darby O'Gill and the Little People
Darby O'Gill and the Little People is a 1959 Walt Disney Productions feature film starring Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro, Sean Connery and Jimmy O'Dea, in a tale about a wily Irishman and his battle of wits with leprechauns. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and its screenplay written by...
.
O'Dowda was married to Alice Boyle with whom he had seven children. He died in hospital near his home in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at the age of 76, and is buried in Esker Cemetery, Lucan, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
.