“Clintonwas thefirstto playmyson’s saxophone”
A former businessman relived his own memories of Bill Clinton’s visit to Dundalk, when he shared a few memorable musical notes with the US President.
Tommy McDonnell, who then owned ‘ Tommy The Bike’ in Earl Street told how Clinton was the first to play a saxophone which he had bought for his son’s birthday.
Like many other business owners in town he was told he would have to close, due to security around the President’s visit.
‘I told them I couldn’t close, it was just before Christmas, our busiest time of year! But I said they could do whatever checks and security they needed.’
‘ There were a lot of Secret Service and White House staff around, but one lady in particular was posted outside our shop. It was a freezing cold day so we looked after her with cups of tea during the day. We had a fax machine they were using too.’
When the Clinton family finally arrived, Tommy was among those watching the historic speeches from behind the barriers at Earl Street.
‘It was an amazing night in the town, such huge crowds,’ he reflected. After Clinton came off the stage, he was meeting with people, and I just happened to say to the lady from his staff that I’d love to get a photograph with him and the saxophone.’
Sure enough, the White House staffer obliged and asked the President if he would stand in for a photograph, and before he knew it Tommy was face to face with Bill Clinton.
‘He posed for the photograph, which was great. But I knew he played the saxophone, so I asked him if he wanted to play a few notes, which he did without hesitating. I couldn’t believe it! He was actually the first person to play the sax, as I had bought it for my son’s birthday.’
‘He also had incredible attention to detail. I remember I had told him about my sons. Then he said ‘ You told me what your sons do, but what about your daughter?! Despite all of the people he had spoken to that day, he hadn’t forgotten that.’
So significant were those few musical notes, that Tommy has since had the saxophone inscribed in memory of its famous first player.
It is a story which Tommy says he has enjoyed telling many times over the last two decades. As for the famous saxophone?
‘Still in my house at home!’ he laughs.