Celtic rock pioneers Horslips mark the 50th anniversary of their seminal album Drive The Cold Winter Away, reminiscing about its creation, career highlights, and the missing presence of Johnny Fean in a new interview.
Celtic rock legends Horslips are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their seminal album, Drive The Cold Winter Away . Jim Lockhart, Eamon Carr, Barry Devlin, and Charles O’Connor reunited for an interview with RSVP Country, offering a rare glimpse into their enduring legacy. The conversation delved into the creation of the album, the highlights of their illustrious career, and the poignant absence of their late guitarist, Johnny Fean , who passed away in 2023.
The band reflected on the recording of Drive The Cold Winter Away, reminiscing about the simple joy of creating music together in an eight-track studio on Baggot Street. Jim Lockhart shared his experience of revisiting the remasters, noting the album’s unique charm. He emphasized the sweetness and naive charm it possesses, something that still resonates with them. Barry Devlin, Charles O’Connor, and others remembered the recording process as seamless and enjoyable. The close proximity to their homes and the band’s inherent musical talent made the experience a pleasure. Barry added that recording it was a fantastic fun and easy thing to do.The interview explored the band’s self-perception and their role in the evolution of Celtic rock. Dubbed the ‘founding fathers’ of the genre, Horslips shared their take on the label. Barry humbly clarified their take on that title, ‘We are flattered by that concept. The fathers bit has us bamboozled – we’re the founding kids!’ They admitted that Celtic rock was never a term they used themselves but one that was applied to them. The band’s unique sound, a blend of traditional Irish music and rock influences, set them apart. Barry said, ‘We were an odd band; I don’t think we directly influenced anyone at all. Who played like Horslips? Nobody, really. But the thing that we did was we persuaded a generation way back in the 70s that you didn’t have to look to England for musical heroes. That in a way, is our legacy.’ They are proud of the impact they had in inspiring a generation to embrace their own musical heritage. The anniversary is tinged with sadness due to the absence of their guitarist, Johnny Fean. The band members expressed the void his absence has left. Jim Lockhart expressed that feeling of incompleteness, missing Johnny. Barry acknowledged Johnny’s traditional music skills and his amazing banjo playing. Eamon Carr remembered Johnny’s ability to pick up, master, and remember tunes with astonishing speed and precision. Eamon said, ‘He was a proper traditional musician as well as an amazing electric guitar player. One of the top three or four guitar players of all time.’Looking back over their career, Horslips shared some of their most cherished memories. Charles O’Connor relished the opportunity to tour Ireland and experience the country. Jim Lockhart highlighted the 2009 reunion tour as a particularly special moment, reliving the electrifying atmosphere of the performances in Belfast and Dublin after a long hiatus. Eamon Carr reflected on the simple joy of having built a career in the music industry. The 50th-anniversary edition of Drive the Cold Winter Away is now available on LP. The band’s full interview, offering more insights into their journey and musical artistry, can be found in the current issue of RSVP Country, which is available in stores nationwide. Fans can also keep up with the latest country music news, interviews, and photos by joining the exclusive Facebook page
Horslips Drive The Cold Winter Away Celtic Rock Anniversary Johnny Fean
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