Anyone familiar with Jimmy Kelly?




He was a member of the american/irish folkpop group "The Kelly Family".







From 1994 onwards the Kelly Family became some sort of a teenage sensation in Europe, although they played all over the world. They have sold more than 40 millions albums, had several #1 singles, shared the stage with Joe Cocker and Bruce Springsteen, won each and every important media award (Echo, Bambi, BRAVO Otto for most popular band) and were on the covers of every european teen magazine almost on a weekly basis.




They played sold out stadiums and huge arenas all over Europe and sold out the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund, Germany with a capacity of 17.000 nine (9 !) times in a row. The hysteria they caused among their fanbase was similar to the Beatlemania.

[www.youtube.com]

Jimmy Kelly w The Kelly Family - Nanana (official video 1997)

[www.youtube.com]

Nanana (live 1997)

[www.youtube.com]

From 1994 until 1998/99 they were the biggest thing in some european countries, especially Germany and the Netherlands, where they were superstars and made tons of money.



In 2000 their stardom began to fall. After some musical and image changes all the glory and money was quickly gone.



Fast forward: Jimmy Kelly now sings and plays on the street and in shopping malls for a living, sometimes with his older sister Kathy.



He's is playing almost daily somewhere playing traditionals, covers and old Kelly Family hits.

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

Jimmy's still a great talent. If you run into him on a pedestrian zone in some european country, give him a listen and a few bucks. He also released an album called "The Hometown Sessions" which you can also find on Apple Music, Spotify, etc.




If you're into handmade singer/songwriter music with irish roots and a bit of country & western (and all kind of other influences), check him out.

Cheers!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-06-02 22:25 by Hansman.

Quote
Hansman

From 1994 onwards the Kelly Family became some sort of a teenage sensation in Europe

I'm in Europe and I never heard of them.

I vaguely recall the name, so it's far far from «Beatlemania».

I hope he gets better gigs than busking again, though.

Yes, they were really famous in europe (maybe not in specific countries). Wish him the best

Oddly enough I just read that I share the same birthplace as two of the children born in 1963 and '64. Leominster, Massacusetts. Odd way to start the day.....lol

OMG . .

I saw them several times on their big tours - "Cover the road" was one of my favourite songs

I saw The Kelly Family in a really good concert in 1996. They performed in front of about 35.000 people!