Legendary Irish folk singer Jim McCann has passed away this morning at the age of 70 after losing his battle with throat cancer.
McCann will be best remembered for his time with the Dubliners’ from 1974 -1979. He appeared with the band occasionally after that but returned to them for their re-union tour in 2002.
He first met Luke Kelly on The McCann show where Kelly first performed his only live version of Scorn Not His Simplicity. They later went on to star in original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1973 and he joined the band the following year.
Speaking today, John Sheehan, the last remaining member of the Dubliners’ said he had a beautiful voice and would be sadly missed.
McCann was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002 and although the treatment was successful he was unable to sing because of damage to his vocal cords.
He last appeared on stage with the band in 2012 when he played guitar for them.
McCann is probably best remembered for his rousing version of the ballad ‘Grace’, a song written by 1985 by Frank and Seán O’Meara, about Grace Gifford who was engaged to Joseph Mary Plunkett, one of the executed leaders of the 1916 rising.
