Book Readers Heaven Welcomes David Callinan!

Biography

David Callinan is Anglo-Irish, born into a family from Limerick in the west of Ireland who grew up in the UK. After a spell at art school, early years saw a host of jobs from telegraphist to salesman – before discovering music. After busking all over Europe he rediscovered Irish music and formed The Spalpeens playing all over the UK, Europe and Ireland touring with The Dubliners, Sweeney's Men, The Chieftains and many others.

He appeared in films such as The Lion In Winter (Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn) and Sinful Davey (John Hurt) and scores of television advertisements (was even directed by the late, great John Huston).

Later, he formed Urban Clearway, touring and performing with artists such as Elton John, Billy Connolly, Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry.

He co-wrote a Celtic rock opera for the Edinburgh Festival. 'Pucka-Ri' starred a young Pierce Brosnan and became one of the hits of the Fringe, before transferring to the Arts Theatre in London.

Latterly, an earlier spacey, folk-rock album, Freedom's Lament, recorded by Callinan-Flynn, has emerged as a highly sought after title on the Internet – and new wave Irish chanteur Sean Tyrrell has recorded a number of his songs on recent albums.

Later still he moved into journalism and PR working with major multinational clients such as Union Carbide, TI Group and Brooke Bond Foods as a director in various agencies and running his own consultancies.

He began to write seriously, producing a string of screenplays and novels, the first of which, Fortress Manhattan was published by Gollancz (Orion) and the 10 Minute Miracle by Harper Collins. Check out his Books!

MUSIC

David Callinan spent many years on the road as a musician and singer-songwriter. He played Irish folk music in The Spalpeens in the boom years of the Irish ballad scene. Later, he formed the folk-rock band Urban Clearway whose music was dubbed 'Celtic Swamp Music'.

With Callan and John he released the single 'House Of Delight' and 'Long Shadow Day' – later banned by the BBC for being 'suggestive'. He never understood why.

Urban Clearway toured with the early Elton John trio, Billy Connolly, Fairport Convention, Incredible String Band, Rod Stewart and many others.

When Urban Clearway broke up, he teamed with band member Mick Flynn to form the folk-rock singer-songwriter duo Callinan-Flynn and recorded an album which today is rated as a 'rare gem' by collectors: 'Freedom's Lament' and sells for exorbitant sums on the Internet.

A highlight of his musical career was co-writing a Celtic rock-opera for the Edinburgh Festival. Pucka-Ri starred a young Pierce Brosnan.

David has recorded new material in the last few years. David sings on some tracks and has used session singers on others.Available on his web site: http://www.davidcallinan.com/index.php