NEWTON — Irish rock band Black 47 will perform at the Newton Theatre on Friday, March 1. They intend on disbanding towards the end of 2014, so this may be a last chance to see this band.
They played more gigs at Shea Stadium than The Beatles, shut down the city of Hoboken, appeared multiple times on Leno, Letterman and O’Brien, starred in a movie with their fans Matt Dillon and Danny Glover, helped spring the Guilford Four and the Birmingham Six from British prisons and saved an Irish immigrant church from the wrecking ball.
Their CD "IRAQ" was the most popular with troops serving in Iraq, their song "The Big Fellah" was featured on Sons of Anarchy, they’ve played more than 2,500 gigs from pubs to stadiums and released 14 CDs, their songs are used in hundreds of high school and college history and political science courses, and they intend disbanding on Nov. 8, exactly 25 years after their first gig in The Bronx.
Led by Irish author, playwright, and SiriusXM radio host, Larry Kirwan, Black 47 play a uniquely Irish form of rock 'n' roll that touches on many social and political issues, and yet is never less than entertaining and riveting. Black 47 earned their chops playing four sets a night in New York pubs. They gained national attention for their first indie record before The Cars' Ric Ocasek produced their second album, "Fire Of Freedom" which brought them mainstream attention with MTV favorites, "Funky Ceili" and "Maria’s Wedding."
A band of band leaders, Black 47 includes, Geoff Blythe (saxophones), Thomas Hamlin (drums), Fred Parcells (trombone/whistle), Joseph Mulvanerty (uilleann pipes/flutes/bodhran) and Joseph “Bearclaw” Burcaw (bass).
This legendary Irish rock band has left a lasting legacy and they intend going out with a bang. Their final CD, "Last Call," will be released in January and Black 47 will tour constantly until their final date on Nov. 8.
Tickets for Black 47 are $29 for all seating. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the Box Office at 973-383-3700.
The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton.