VIDEO: Johnny Logan drives fans wild at special Trim gig
Eurovision legend Johnny Logan drove fans wild with a rare appearance at home in Ireland, performing at a special sold out performance in Trim on Saturday 7th January.
All proceeds from the concert were in aid of two identical twins, Cillian and Ronan O'Keeffe from Mullingar, the grandchildren of Danny O'Keeffe, Johnny's friend for many years.
Danny was a drummer with Dickie Rock, Don Baker and Johhny Logan's bands. The 16 month-old boys have been diagnosed with a disease called Hurler Syndrome (MPS1), a rare condition that affects only 10 people in Ireland.
The twins are currently based at The Royal Children's Hospital in Manchester and require specialist treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
Ashbourne-based when at home, Johnny Logan, widely known as Mr Eurovision, needs no introduction after the amazing achievement of winning the Eurovision Song Contest twice as a performer, with 'What's another Year' in 1980 and again in 1987 with 'Hold Me Now'.
The now 68-year old also composed the winning song 'Why Me' for Linda Martin in 1992. Son of singer and publican, Pat O'Hagan, Johnny was born in Australia and grew up in Drogheda, where he worked in his father's pub, O'Hagan's on West Street (later The Coach House) and played in two local bands The Dawn and AC30.
VIDEO BY ENDA CASEY / GASUN PHOTOGRAPHY
He learned guitar from Eamon Campbell of The Dubliners fame and also lined out as a goalkeeper for St Joseph's CBS GAA team in Drogheda before moving to Dublin as an electrician. His first professional band was with The Giants where he played guitar, along with his brother Mick O'Hagan with Rob Strong as lead singer in 1974.
Blues legend, Don Baker, hosted the unique event in the intimate surroundings of his Baker's Loft at Brogan's Hotel in Trim. Don Baker is also re-releasing his album 'My Song, My Friends' as part of the fundraiser.
The album features Don's own songs as recorded by Sinead O Connor, Finbar Furey, Rob Strong, Declan O'Rourke and Eleanor McEvoy. Two English fans of Johnny Logan, Jo Boardman and Dawn Hyland, from a fan club called 'The Loganettes', were among the first to book flights, tickets and accomodation in Brogan's.
They attend his shows all over Europe where they usually see Logan perform in large arenas, in countries such as Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Austria and The Netherlands. Paul Holland from Kells, who manages The Rob Strong Band, and is involved in promoting this fundraising gig and will be planning further music events to take place in Meath throughout next year.