This guy is blessed with talent in many art genres. Not fair! But then again, we get to enjoy his creations.
New York Irish Center hosts Rockin’ the Bronx Book Launch on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 pm.
Black 47 frontman Larry Kirwan reads from his recently published novel, Rockin’ The Bronx. Then, he performs some songs and chats with Paul Cavalconte from WFUV, WQXR, and (coming soon) WBGO.
Admission is $25, and the New York Irish Center is at 10-40 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City.
Set in the Bronx in the early 1980s, the new novel (Fordham University Press) offers a taste of Irish immigrant life during a time of high crime in New York City and political unrest on the Emerald Isle. (Add the AIDS epidemic to the mix.)
The plot follows Sean Kelly who leaves Ireland for the Irish bars in the Bronx as he searches for his girlfriend. No spoiler alert here, but let’s just inform that he meets a lot of colorful characters on the way.
This isn’t an autobiography, but Kirwan grew up in County Wexford and now lives in New York City. He’s best known for leading the political rock band Black 47 for 25 years. The group released 16 albums and offered several thousand concerts around the world.
But the 74-year-old has also written three novels – Liverpool Fantasy, Rockin’ The Bronx, and Rockaway Blue – as well as a memoir, Green Suede Shoes, and A History of Irish Music.
Then there’s the Tony for co-writing the Broadway musical Paradise Square. In fact, he’s been involved in 21 plays and musicals.
While we’re at it, let’s add his columns in the Irish Echo, his Celtic Crush radio show on Sirius XM, and his 2022 Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award. Remember: He’s got a lot of talent!
Images: Larry Kirwan of Black 47 Facebook
George Seminara took the top photo at Joey Ramone’s Birthday Party in Irving Plaza.
Steve Malinski took the bottom photo at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on March 17, 2016.