DANIEL DEVASTATED AT DEATH OF HIS MANAGER
Cavanagh brought biggest stars in US to Ireland over long career
SINGER Daniel O’donnell has been left devastated after the death of his beloved manager.
Kieran Cavanagh, who was one of Ireland’s top showbiz promoters, was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.
Daniel, 62, wrote: “It is with great sadness that I announced the passing of my friend and manager Kieran Cavanagh. RIP.
“Kieran died this morning in the wonderful care of St Vincent’s Private Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
“Please keep them in your prayers at this very difficult time.”
His funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
Having started out in the 1970s playing bass guitar in Irish showband The New Blues, the affable and ambitious young man from Easkey, Co Sligo, quickly found his niche as a promoter.
At the age of 27, he flew to America and negotiated a deal to bring Johnny Cash to Ireland – a tour that proved hugely successful for The Man in Black and established Cavanagh’s reputation as a promoter.
Following this success, he began running Irish tours for most of America’s country icons, including George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Glen Campbell, Tom T Hall, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson.
The Sligo man also became the manager of rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis.
In 1993, Lewis went looking for Cavanagh’s help to sort out his financial crisis after the IRS had confiscated his assets and frozen his bank accounts due to unpaid taxes.
As the manager of one of the world’s most revered stars – nicknamed The Killer for his dynamic and wild piano playing – Cavanagh soon found himself hanging out with superstars such as Bruce Springsteen and Ronnie Wood who idolised Lewis.
Under Cavanagh’s stewardship, Lewis went on to earn a million dollars from tours around the world and clear his US tax bill in a year.
Kieran had been O’donnell’s promoter since the 1980s and staged his first major concert at The Point in Dublin in 1992, which brought the Donegal singer to a new level.
Please keep them in your prayers at this difficult time
DANIEL O’DONNELL KIERAN’S FAMILY
ON