Last Clancy Brother Dies

Legendary Irish folk singer LIAM CLANCY has died. He was 74.

The last surviving member of the popular Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem group passed away at his home in Cork, Ireland on Friday (04Dec09) following a long battle with lung disease.

Born as the youngest of 11 children, Liam and his three brothers Tom, Bobby and Patrick emigrated to America, and teamed up with Tommy Makem to play the Irish pub scene in New York City.

Following a record-breaking 16 minutes set on The Ed Sullivan Show, the brothers and Makem were overnight sensations, and were big players in the 1960s folk scene, alongside close pal Bob Dylan.

He later enjoyed a solo career, while still working with Makem. The band reunited in the 1984, but family tensions led to another split shortly after.

Clancy is survived by wife Kim and their five children.