I heard the other day that Mick Masterson, flute and whistle player from Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo, passed away on the morning of Christmas Eve.
Mick had lived in London for about 40 years and was one of the stalwarts that kept the music alive in the "dark days" of the 60s and early 70s when it was uncool for young people to play or like Irish music.
He was a good friend of mine, I learned many tunes from him and we had many a session and good times in London and Ireland back in those days.
Mick was a gentle giant (well over 6 foot tall) and a devoted husband and father.
Irish musicians in the London area, especially the older ones (Free Reed, for example) will remember Mick and I am sure will join me in raising a glass and playing a tune in his memory.
I no longer live in London and have no details of funeral arrangements, but have been told that Mick O'Connor will have details.
It's always sad when I read about musicians from that era passing on. I remember Mick Masterson as being part of the Four Courts Ceili Band around 1977. They used to play in the Favourite in Holloway on a Tuesday night if I remember right. I was playing with a group elsewhere at that time, but when I got the chance I would often drop in to the Favourite for a listen. My friendship with Jimmy Power and Paddy Mylinn went back to the early sixties. As a point of interest I wonder how many of that line up have now passed on. I remember the members of that band around that time were: Jimmy Power(fiddle) (RIP) - Tommy Sheridan( Pipes) - Mick Masterson(Flute)( RIP) -Reg Hall ( Piano) - Paddy Mylinn(Accordion)(RIP) - Tommy Healey (Flute) - Johnny Duffy(Fiddle) - Ron Summers (Drums) - Mary Kilkenny (Fiddle). May God rest all of them that have gone to their eternal reward.
Mick was a lovely man. I last met him at Tommy Healy's funeral a few years ago. He was'nt in the best of health himself then, having beaten the "big c".
Most of the people on Free Reed's list are now late. Jimmy Power, Tommy sheridan, Paddy Malynn, Tommy Healy and Ron summers and now of course Mick Masterson. The world is a poorer place without them. May they rest in peace.
Mick Masterson (R.I.P.)
Mick Masterson (R.I.P.)
I heard the other day that Mick Masterson, flute and whistle player from Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo, passed away on the morning of Christmas Eve.
Mick had lived in London for about 40 years and was one of the stalwarts that kept the music alive in the "dark days" of the 60s and early 70s when it was uncool for young people to play or like Irish music.
He was a good friend of mine, I learned many tunes from him and we had many a session and good times in London and Ireland back in those days.
Mick was a gentle giant (well over 6 foot tall) and a devoted husband and father.
Irish musicians in the London area, especially the older ones (Free Reed, for example) will remember Mick and I am sure will join me in raising a glass and playing a tune in his memory.
I no longer live in London and have no details of funeral arrangements, but have been told that Mick O'Connor will have details.
# Posted on December 30th 2008 by murfbox
Re: Mick Masterson (R.I.P.)
It's always sad when I read about musicians from that era passing on. I remember Mick Masterson as being part of the Four Courts Ceili Band around 1977. They used to play in the Favourite in Holloway on a Tuesday night if I remember right. I was playing with a group elsewhere at that time, but when I got the chance I would often drop in to the Favourite for a listen. My friendship with Jimmy Power and Paddy Mylinn went back to the early sixties. As a point of interest I wonder how many of that line up have now passed on. I remember the members of that band around that time were: Jimmy Power(fiddle) (RIP) - Tommy Sheridan( Pipes) - Mick Masterson(Flute)( RIP) -Reg Hall ( Piano) - Paddy Mylinn(Accordion)(RIP) - Tommy Healey (Flute) - Johnny Duffy(Fiddle) - Ron Summers (Drums) - Mary Kilkenny (Fiddle). May God rest all of them that have gone to their eternal reward.
# Posted on December 30th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: Mick Masterson (R.I.P.)
Mick was a lovely man. I last met him at Tommy Healy's funeral a few years ago. He was'nt in the best of health himself then, having beaten the "big c".
Most of the people on Free Reed's list are now late. Jimmy Power, Tommy sheridan, Paddy Malynn, Tommy Healy and Ron summers and now of course Mick Masterson. The world is a poorer place without them. May they rest in peace.
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by diarmuid k