Chieftains Celebrating 50th Anniversary With Carnegie Hall Concert
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The Rolling Stones aren't the only musical group turning 50 this year. The Chieftains are also marking half a century, and will be celebrating it with a St. Patrick's Day concert at Carnegie Hall.
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"It's been an absolutely brilliant musical journey. It's just gone. I can't believe it, and I still got things to do, Sean, you know," founder Patty Maloney told WCBS 880 reporter Sean Adams.
He says it all began when he was a wee lad, hearing centuries-old melodies at home.
"Just a source of entertainment. There was no television, and very little radio those days. I used to go down to my grandparents' up in the mountains... for the holidays," he said. "A small little cottage, but to me it was a palace, and to have, you know, all the neighbors coming in and sitting down playing cards and then the music would start. Then the dancing... It'd go on all night."
The group was founded in Dublin in 1962, but Maloney says New York is like a second home, with so many friends, so many memories.
He first came to the Empire State in 1969.
"Sam Goody's had our album on sale down on 7th Avenue," he said.
The Chieftains' first New York show was at the 600-seat Irish Arts Theater in 1972.
"It was packed to capacity and, before the end of the evening, I spotted John Lennon and Yoko Ono sort of running out the back door," he said.
The Chieftains have collaborated with rock royalty, including the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Sting, and Roger Daltrey.
Their latest album melds traditional Irish music with the sounds of modern acts like the Decemberists.
The concert is Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 8 p.m.
What are you doing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Share your plan in the comments section below!
