Stockton's Wing

Stockton's Wing is an Irish band formed in 1977 by four All-Ireland champion musicians - Paul Roche flute/whistle, Maurice Lennon fiddle, Tommy Hayes bodhran, and Kieran Hanrahan banjo/mandolin, along with Tony Callinan on guitar and vocals.

Stockton's Wing
Background information
OriginEnnis, Ireland
GenresCeltic, Folk-rock
Years active1978 to 1995
Intermittently later
LabelsTara Music label, Polygram Ireland, Revolving Records
MembersKieran Hanrahan
Tara Breen
Mike Hanrahan
Paul Roche
Tommy Hayes
Past membersMaurice Lennon (co-founder member) [1]
Tony Callanan
Fran Breen
Steve Cooney
Brian Calnan
Tony Molloy
Davey McNevin
Peter Keenan
Eamon McElholm
John Kearns
Robbie Casserley
Eddie Lee
Myles Drennan
John Walsh..

Name

The band took its name from a line in the Bruce Springsteen song, "Backstreets" - "Slow dancin' in the dark on the beach at Stockton's Wing..."

Early years

Their self-titled first album was released in 1978. During the recording of their second album Take A Chance, which was released in 1980, singer-songwriter and guitarist Mike Hanrahan replaced Tony Callinan. At the Ballisodare Folk Festival they met Australian Stephen Cooney who then joined the band playing bass guitar.

In 1982 the band released Light In The Western Sky. In 1983, Tommy Hayes was replaced by Fran Breen on drums. Peter Keenan on keyboards also joined the band. 1984 saw their first American tour. This coincided with the release of American Special.

Live Album

In 1985 they recorded the live album Stockton's Wing Live - Take One in Dublin and Galway (this album was re-released on CD in 2006). 1986 saw the release of Full Flight. 1988 brought Celtic Roots Revival. In 1991, Davey McNevin replaced Kieran Hanrahan in the line-up. In addition, Fran Breen and Stephen Cooney departed.

Tara Music

In 1991 the band returned to the Tara Music label with the release of a 20 track compilation of the band's first 3 albums (in 2005 Tara Music released these 3 albums in a boxset). 1992 saw the release of The Crooked Rose. 1995 saw Eamon McElholm join as new lead singer and the release of Letting Go. In 2003 original members Paul, Maurice, Kieran and Tommy along with Mike Hanrahan got together for a number of reunion concerts.

More recently, in January 2009, they took to the stage once more at the West County Hotel, Co. Clare. The line up included Paul, Maurice, Tommy and Mike Hanrahan.

Discography
  • Stockton's Wing, 1978
  • Take A Chance, 1980
  • Light in the Western Sky, 1982 (deleted)
  • American Special, 1984/85 (deleted)
  • Stockton's Wing Live – Take One, 1985 (deleted)(re-released 2006)
  • Full Flight, 1986 (deleted)
  • Celtic Roots Revival, 1988 (deleted)
  • The Collection 1991
  • The Crooked Rose, 1992
  • Letting Go, 1995
  • Celtic Collections, 1997
  • The Very Best of Irish Jigs, Reels & Songs 2005
  • Live - Take One (re-release) 2006
  • A Beautiful Affair: A Stockton's Wing Retrospective (2020)

References
  1. "Biographical notes for Irish fiddler MAURICE LENNON - Tara Music Company". www.taramusic.com.
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