Today, in our ‘Artists Corner’, ICC Digital brings you the last of six stunning photographs from the gallery of the internationally acclaimed photographer Andrew Catlin, from his book “Rebel Song; Faces of Irish Music”.
The ICC would like to thank Andrew, who is rightfully considered one of the greatest photographers of rock stars, for giving us the privilege of sharing some of his photographs on ICC Digital.
Today’s photograph is this beautiful image of the late, great Phil Lynott, frontman for the band Thin Lizzy. This image ironically has a sense of the mystical about it, as Dublin born Lynott died tragically of a drug overdose in at the age of 39, in 1986. Lynott is still considered as one of the greatest and most gifted rock stars of all times..
Some words from Catlin’s book…
Phil Lynott says.. “I’d like Ireland to become one nation, but then, we are. We seem to be all Irish when we’re away from Ireland. When I’m in Ireland, I say I’m from Dublin, when I’m in Dublin, I say I’m from Crumlin. When I’m in Crumlin, I say I’m from Leighlin Road, and when I’m in Leighlin Road, I say I’m a Lynott”.
“Rebel Song; Faces of Irish Music” is a collection of photographs of some of the most important musicians who changed the face of Irish Music into the international force it is today. With the words of Irish song’s, quotes from the musicians, and written commentaries on Irish history and on British colonial rule in Ireland, published throughout – what emerges is a powerful and sublime book which charts the evolution from Irish folk, into rebellious Rock, Pop and Protest Songs and Punk, which burst into the sounds and voice of a nation’s resistance and exploded onto a global stage.
What’s so extraordinary about the book is that it’s author, photographer Andrew Catlin, is an Englishman, who knew nothing about Irish history at the outset. While producing the book Catlin under-went a journey of discovery to find the connection between Irish music, the history of Ireland, and the passion, power and intensity of some of the greatest Irish songwriters and performers of the last 50 years.
Catlin says “Many of the references in Irish songs – people and places that in Ireland carry a heavy weight of history – have no meaning at all in England. You feel the strength of emotion, but unrecognised names seem quaint or unimportant. It can be shocking when you find a familiar song is about a shameful episode of British brutality.”
Some of the musicians featured in the book include Shane MacGowan, Sinéad O’Connor, Bono, Christy Moore, Finbar Furey, Feargal Sharkey, Damien Dempsey, Phil Lynott and Rory Gallagher.
To buy the book “Rebel Songs; faces Of Irish Music” go to ww.andrewcatlin.com @andrewcatlin @andrewcatlinphotography
About Andrew Catlin:
Andrew Catlin is an internationally acclaimed music photographer and filmmaker. He has photographed some of the world’s greatest songwriters, musicians and celebrities, including Pattie Smythe, Sting, Morrisey, Kurt Cobain. He’s had a long-standing working relationship with Shane MacGowan, Bono and Sinéad O’Connor and he has previously had three books published, ‘Shane MacGowan – Three Score’, ‘Sinéad O’Connor – 48’ and ‘The Jesus and Mark Chain’.
The book “Rebel Song: Faces of Irish Music” accompanied the major exhibition of the same name, recently held at ‘Baker Mamonova Gallery, Kino-Teatr’ in St Leonards On Sea.
