Jonny Quinn
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Graham "Jonny" Quinn (b. 26 February 1972) is a Northern Irish
drummer, born in Bangor
. He is best known as the drummer for alternative rock band Snow Patrol
, and was previously a member of bands like The Mighty Fall, The New Brontes and Disraeli Gears. As drummer for Snow Patrol, he has played on all releases. He is married to industrial designer Marianne Quinn (née Rokke).
, the record label that first signed The Undertones
. In the early 1990s, he was a member of The Mighty Fall, in which he had a band mate in Iain Archer
. He was also a member of The New Brontes. In the summer of 1992, he became a member of Disraeli Gears, which was formed by Iain's brother Paul. In 1995, he completed a BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts. In October 1996, he started a live music venue with Brendan McCauley, called The Crescent Arts Centre. Disraeli Gears played regular shows at the venue throughout the rest of the year. In 1997, they recorded their first studio album, Pure Groove.
He's been with Snow Patrol
since their first full-length release, Songs for Polarbears
. During Snow Patrol's Eyes Open Tour
, on 15 January 2007, Quinn broke a bone in his elbow in a snowboarding
accident and was unable to play several shows of the tour. He asked Ex-Therapy?
drummer and long-time friend of the band, Graham Hopkins
, to fill in for him. Hopkins toured Europe
, Australia
, New Zealand
and the United States
for 3 months until Quinn had fully recovered. In the meantime, Snow Patrol were to play at the 2007 BRIT Awards
. U2
's Larry Mullen, Jr. volunteered to take on the duty but the band already had Hopkins. Quinn said he felt "honored" at the offer. He names Ginger Baker
, Louie Bellson
and Stewart Copeland
among his influences.
and the brother of Bradley Quinn
, Snow Patrol's longtime photographer. His cousin is Debbie Armstrong, wife of former Northern Ireland
assistant manager Gerry Armstrong
. Quinn had a habit of stage-diving, which resulted in many fractured limbs. After the band signed to Fiction/Interscope, he was asked to curb it, lest he break his arm.
He proposed to his longtime girlfriend, industrial designer Marianne Rokke at Snow Patrol's homecoming show at Ward Park
in 2007. He wrote "Marry me Marianne" on his drum kit, which was showed on the screens beside the stage. They tied the knot in Marianne's hometown Oslo
on 16 August 2008. Jonny's brother Bradley Quinn was the best man. Guests included the band, past Snow Patrol collaborator and band mate Iain Archer
and singer Declan O'Rourke
. The couple went to Zanzibar
for their honeymoon. He lives in Crouch End
, London with his wife, nearby band mate Nathan Connolly
.
1991 – "Kick It in the Head"; with Disraeli Gears
1995 – Sense EP
1997 – Pure Groove
with Snow Patrol
1998 – Songs for Polarbears
2001 – When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up
2003 – Final Straw
2006 – Eyes Open
2008 – A Hundred Million Suns
2009 – Up to Now
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
drummer, born in Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
. He is best known as the drummer for alternative rock band Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, and was previously a member of bands like The Mighty Fall, The New Brontes and Disraeli Gears. As drummer for Snow Patrol, he has played on all releases. He is married to industrial designer Marianne Quinn (née Rokke).
Biography
He once used to work in the music store for Good VibrationsGood Vibrations (record label)
Good Vibrations is a Belfast record label and store. Founded by Terri Hooley in the early 1970’s, Good Vibrations started out in a small derelict building on Great Victoria Street, Belfast...
, the record label that first signed The Undertones
The Undertones
The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975.The original line-up of the Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums — The Undertones , Hypnotised , Positive Touch and The Sin of Pride — before disbanding in July 1983.Music guide Allmusic...
. In the early 1990s, he was a member of The Mighty Fall, in which he had a band mate in Iain Archer
Iain Archer
Iain Denis Archer is a singer–songwriter from Bangor, Northern Ireland, who was once a secondary lyricist for the indie band Snow Patrol. Archer comes from a musical background and released several solo albums in the mid 90s on the small Scottish independent label Sticky Music...
. He was also a member of The New Brontes. In the summer of 1992, he became a member of Disraeli Gears, which was formed by Iain's brother Paul. In 1995, he completed a BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts. In October 1996, he started a live music venue with Brendan McCauley, called The Crescent Arts Centre. Disraeli Gears played regular shows at the venue throughout the rest of the year. In 1997, they recorded their first studio album, Pure Groove.
He's been with Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
since their first full-length release, Songs for Polarbears
Songs for Polarbears
*"Marketplace" is included as a hidden track after "One Hundred Things You Should Have Done in Bed" on both versions.*All bonus tracks originally appeared as B-sides to the singles released from "Songs for Polarbears".-Personnel:Snow Patrol...
. During Snow Patrol's Eyes Open Tour
Eyes Open Tour
The Eyes Open Tour was a concert tour by the Northern Ireland alternative rock band Snow Patrol. It was launched in support of the group's 2006 album Eyes Open. The band visited numerous international venues from 2006 through 2007. The tour is the collective name of many smaller tours and festivals...
, on 15 January 2007, Quinn broke a bone in his elbow in a snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
accident and was unable to play several shows of the tour. He asked Ex-Therapy?
Therapy?
Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
drummer and long-time friend of the band, Graham Hopkins
Graham Hopkins
Graham Hopkins is an Irish drummer. He is the drummer in The Swell Season, The Frames, and former drummer for the hard rock/punk rock band Therapy?.- Early years :...
, to fill in for him. Hopkins toured Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for 3 months until Quinn had fully recovered. In the meantime, Snow Patrol were to play at the 2007 BRIT Awards
2007 BRIT Awards
The 2007 BRIT Awards was the 27th edition of the biggest annual pop music awards in the United Kingdom. They are run by the British Phonographic Industry and took place on 14 February 2007 at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London...
. U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's Larry Mullen, Jr. volunteered to take on the duty but the band already had Hopkins. Quinn said he felt "honored" at the offer. He names Ginger Baker
Ginger Baker
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences...
, Louie Bellson
Louie Bellson
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , better known by the stage name Louie Bellson , was an Italian-American jazz drummer...
and Stewart Copeland
Stewart Copeland
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
among his influences.
Personal life
He is the nephew of actress Patricia QuinnPatricia Quinn
Patricia Quinn, Lady Stephens is a Northern Irish actress best known for her role as Magenta in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show . Hers were the red lips that appeared in the film's opening song "Science Fiction/Double Feature"...
and the brother of Bradley Quinn
Bradley Quinn
Bradley Quinn is a commercial photographer based in Holywood, Northern Ireland. He is the principal photographer of Northern Irish bands Snow Patrol and Cashier No. 9. He is younger brother to Jonny Quinn, the drummer for Snow Patrol. He worked under photographer before starting his own business,...
, Snow Patrol's longtime photographer. His cousin is Debbie Armstrong, wife of former Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
assistant manager Gerry Armstrong
Gerry Armstrong (footballer)
Gerard "Gerry" Joseph Armstrong is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur....
. Quinn had a habit of stage-diving, which resulted in many fractured limbs. After the band signed to Fiction/Interscope, he was asked to curb it, lest he break his arm.
He proposed to his longtime girlfriend, industrial designer Marianne Rokke at Snow Patrol's homecoming show at Ward Park
Ward Park
Ward Park is situated in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. The 37 acre park contains 10 tennis courts, a duck pond and a selection of wildfowl housed in breeding pens....
in 2007. He wrote "Marry me Marianne" on his drum kit, which was showed on the screens beside the stage. They tied the knot in Marianne's hometown Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
on 16 August 2008. Jonny's brother Bradley Quinn was the best man. Guests included the band, past Snow Patrol collaborator and band mate Iain Archer
Iain Archer
Iain Denis Archer is a singer–songwriter from Bangor, Northern Ireland, who was once a secondary lyricist for the indie band Snow Patrol. Archer comes from a musical background and released several solo albums in the mid 90s on the small Scottish independent label Sticky Music...
and singer Declan O'Rourke
Declan O'Rourke
Declan O'Rourke is a 33 year old platinum record singer/songwriter from Dublin, Ireland.-Career:At the age of 13, when living in Australia with his family, O'Rourke was given his first guitar by a priest in Kyabram who recognised his potential and love for music, hence the title of his debut album...
. The couple went to Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
for their honeymoon. He lives in Crouch End
Crouch End
Crouch End is an area of north London, in the London Borough of Haringey.- Location :Crouch End is in a valley between Harringay to the east, Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Wood Green to the north, Finsbury Park and Archway to the south and Highgate to the west...
, London with his wife, nearby band mate Nathan Connolly
Nathan Connolly
Nathan Connolly is a Northern Irish musician, who is best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Snow Patrol.-Early life:...
.
Discography
with The Mighty Fall1991 – "Kick It in the Head"; with Disraeli Gears
1995 – Sense EP
1997 – Pure Groove
with Snow Patrol
1998 – Songs for Polarbears
Songs for Polarbears
*"Marketplace" is included as a hidden track after "One Hundred Things You Should Have Done in Bed" on both versions.*All bonus tracks originally appeared as B-sides to the singles released from "Songs for Polarbears".-Personnel:Snow Patrol...
2001 – When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up
When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up
-Bonus tracks on 2006 re-release:*All bonus tracks originally appeared as B-sides to the singles released from "When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up".-Reception:...
2003 – Final Straw
Final Straw
UK re-release bonus tracks*The AOL sessions feature frontman Gary Lightbody & lead guitarist Nathan Connolly being interviewed, and performing an acoustic rendition of "Run".*The dualdisc version does not include the UK bonus tracks....
2006 – Eyes Open
Eyes Open
Eyes Open is the fourth album by Northern Irish/Scottish alternative rock band Snow Patrol. It was released in the UK on 1 May 2006, and 9 May 2006 in the US. The first European single, "You're All I Have", was released on 24 April 2006; the first U.S. single was "Hands Open" and the first...
2008 – A Hundred Million Suns
A Hundred Million Suns
A Hundred Million Suns is the fifth album by alternative rock band Snow Patrol. The album was written by Snow Patrol and was produced by long time producer Jacknife Lee who has previously produced albums for Bloc Party, R.E.M., and U2. The songs were recorded through the summer of 2008 in Hansa...
2009 – Up to Now
Up to Now
Up to Now is the first compilation album by alternative rock band Snow Patrol. The album features tracks spanning Snow Patrol's fifteen year music career, including tracks from The Reindeer Section, a side-project/supergroup involving musicians from all over Scotland...