Leave your Tommy Makem memories here
Tommy Makem passed away one month ago today. I really had a hard time meeting the requests for comments and perspective about him, in the days that followed. How do you do justice to someone of that caliber, that character, in a few lines? I talked of his impact, his efforts, songwriting, presentations and so much more, depending on who was asking for the quote or the audience it was intended for. Even for the Ohio Irish American News, with more room and more time, I struggled to do him justice. In the
paper I included excerpts from Festival Legends Song & Stories, from Tommy’s chapter, a poem I had written about the more than 400 songs Tommy has written, and a brief prose bit. But it felt so inadequate. As expected, Tommy’s funeral was massive and the tributes heartfelt and eloquent.
Still, the man was so much larger than life, and broader than any picture could paint. Maybe time will do Tommy justice, because, right now, I still cannot.
God Bless The Bard
Please feel free to leave any comments, memories, stories about Tommy here. I’m sure others would like to hear them too.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
John, I understand how you feel. Even now, I am completely unable to gather enough thoughts to do justice in writing a tribute. I have so much I want to share, yet I cannot get the words out.
I am also hoping that time will make it possible for a fitting tribute. I still haven’t been able to watch the video we shot from the tribute in Pittsburgh last month. It is just too much to take in still!