'He was unique in every way': Tributes paid to Cork musician Ron Kavana following his death

The death has occurred of Fermoy-born musician, historian, singer and songwriter Ronnie Kavanagh (known to his fans as Ron Kavana) who in his time played with, among others, The Pogues, Elvis Costello, Sinead O’Connor, and Dr John.

Mr Kavana passed away on Saturday evening after a long illness.

He played with some of the world’s most influential musicians in folk, rock, soul, and blues, and was himself hugely influential as a songwriter and performer.

He toured with the Pogues, appearing on If I Should Fall From Grace With God, and co-writing two songs with Pogue Terry Woods, Every Man Is A King (In The U S of A)’and Young Ned of The Hill. 

He played guitar on Shane MacGowan and Sinead O’Connor’s Haunted.

Born on June 21, 1952 in Fermoy to an Irish father, Joe, and an American-born mother, Dolores, he started out playing with local band The Wizards, a precursor of Loudest Whisper.

Outstanding talent

Brian O’Reilly’s Celtic musical stage production The Children of Lir debuted in Fermoy in January 1973, with Ron in the lead role.

“He was an outstanding talent and a colourful character with a wonderful voice. It’s a very sad day for us,” Mr O’Reilly told The Echo.

Moving to London in the late 1970s, he founded Kavana’s Krisis Band, later Juice on the Loose and also played with the likes of The Balham Alligators, The Alexis Korner Band and Panama Red.

Cork folk legend Jimmy Crowley remembers a good friend.

“Ron was just great company, he was rock’n’roll, he was wild, but I loved him very much. He was a great songwriter.” 

Juice on the Loose released an eponymous album in 1981, and Mr Kavana’s first solo album, Rollin’ & Coastin’, was released in 1985. More albums followed: Think Like A Hero (1989), Coming Days (1991), Home Fire (1991), Dancing to the Céili Band (1994), and From Galway to Graceland (1995).

In 2006 he issued a double CD, Irish Songs of Rebellion, Resistance and Reconciliation, and a year later a four-disc set Irish Ways: Story of Ireland in Song, Music & Poetry.

Singer Katie Theasby said the music world had lost “a walking archive of music, film, history”.

“It’s quite wrong that he never got the recognition for his decades of contributions while he was here.” 

Musician and songwriter Mo O’Connor, remembers an outstanding talent.

“He was an actor, a writer, a journalist with Hot Press, a historian, a singer and a gifted songwriter. He was unique in every way.” 

Predeceased by his wife Breda, Mr Kavana is survived by his daughter Georgia, his grandsons Matthew, Liam and Cillian, brother Paul, son-in-law Matthew, his family and friends.