From Jerry Lee Lewis to Daniel O’Donnell, late music promoter and manager Kieran Cavanagh from Easkey fondly remembered
WEST Sligo native Kieran Cavanagh was once the manager of one of America's wildest and greatest rock ‘n' roll legends, Jerry Lee Lewis, before becoming Daniel's manager in 2015, taking over the role as manager Daniel's original manager Sean Reilly retired.
Having started out in the 1970s playing bass guitar in an Irish showband called The New Blues, the affable and ambitious young man from Easkey, Co. Sligo, quickly found his niche as a promoter.
Kieran (67), died on Tuesday of last week, January 30, surrounded by his family at St Vincent's Private Hospital following an illness.
Tributes have been paid to Kieran Cavanagh, one of Ireland's top promoters in show business and the manager of country music star Daniel O'Donnell, following his death.
At the age of 27, Kieran 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 the young Irishman's reputation as a reputable promoter.
Following this success, Kieran began running Irish tours for most of America's country icons, including George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Glen Campbell, Tom T Hall, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Buck Owens and Kris Kristofferson.
At one point, Kieran also brought rock and country icon Jerry Lee Lewis to Ireland. In 1993 Lewis came calling again, this time looking for Kieran's help to sort out his financial crisis after the IRS (US tax authority) had confiscated his assets and frozen his bank accounts due to unpaid taxes.
As the manager of one of the world's most revered rock and country 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 Jerry Lee.
Under Kieran Cavanagh's stewardship, Jerry Lee went on to earn a million from tours around the world and clear his US tax bill in a year.
Kieran 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.
Daniel posted a poignant online tribute to Kieran on social media on Tuesday of last week.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my friend and manager Kieran Cavanagh. RIP,” he wrote.
“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 sad and difficult time.”
Daniel previously wrote about Kieran's health battle in a Facebook post on October 20, 2023, which received thousands of messages of support from followers.
The country music legend asked people to pray for his manager and close friend Kieran Cavanagh.
“He has been diagnosed with brain cancer and he will start treatment soon,” he said.
“Please pray for him and his family at this difficult time,” he wrote.
Kieran Cavanagh with Tammy Wynette.