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Taditional and contemporary Irish music and song, performed with power and precision by some of the finest musicians in Ireland. Back in 1977, in Ennis, Co. Clare, the five member group including all-Ireland champions, Paul Roche, Maurice Lennon, Kieran Hanrahan and Tommy Hayes with Tony Callinan won the traditional section of a Guinness sponsored talent competition in Limerick (the rock section was won by a little known group, called U2). As a result of this competition they secured a recording contract with Tara Records and released their debut album, 'Stockton's Wing'.
The music of Stockton's Wing evolved into an exciting blend of trSinger/songwriter, Mike Hanrahan, replaced Tony Callinan in 1979 and in the spring of 1980 they released their second album on Tara "Take a Chance." The album featured more original material. Following the success of the album, they toured extensively, creating a storm of enthusiasm at major Folk Festivals across Europe.
In 1982, the Band released their third album "Light in the Western Sky" - a highly polished album which represented a significant shift in their musical direction, focusing more on the band's creative original material. The album featured two hit singles "Beautiful Affair" and "Walk Away."
Percussionist, Tommy Hayes, left the band in 1983 and was replaced by Fran Breen on drums and Peter Keenan keyboards. After listening to the band, a critic for the New York Times wrote "they were eclectic, electric, passionate, personal, innovative and powerful." In 1985, a live album "Stockton's Wing Live - Take One" was recorded in Galway and Dublin capturing that 'eclectic, electric' sound and enjoyed major success.
They recorded their fifth album "Full Flight" in 1986 which cemented the band's reputation. The group's sixth album, produced by Steve Cooney, received critical acclaim in America where the group headlined major music festivals in Chicago, Boston and New York.
In the summer of 1988 they shared the stage with Michael Jackson in Cork. The following year they made a guest appearance with Sammy Davis Jnr. in Dublin as part of his world tour with Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. In 1990 Stockton's Wing went on location to take part in the film production of the John B. Keane play "The Field".
In 1991 Kieran Hanrahan was replaced by Davey McNevin on banjo and mandolin. Drums and bass guitar were dropped from the lineup, shifting the musical emphasis to an acoustic based sound and together with producer Bill Whelan, recorded 'The Crooked Rose' on the Tara label. The album of original music highlights the excitement, drive and virtuosity of each individual musician. In 1994, Stockton's introduced the award-winning young singer/songwriter Eamon McElholm replacing Mike Hanrahan who retired from the Band to follow a solo career. Eamon reinforced the band's reputation for musical excellence with his live performances and songwriting skills. 1995 saw the release of the 'Letting Go' album which featured Eamon's songwriting talents. In November 2003, after several years off the road, founding members, Kieran Hanrahan, Paul Roche, Maurice Lennon and Tommy Hayes, along with Mike Hanrahan, held a reunion concert in their home town of Ennis, Co. Clare. The concert was a hugh sucess.
A full selection of video clips of the band are available on the stocktonswinglive channel on YouTube.com
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