Saturday, October 12, 2013

A Faithful Departed: The Musical Legacy of Phil Chevron (1957-2013)

Many warm tributes have been paid, and from far and wide, following the death of Phil Chevron, which was announced earlier this week.

As founder member of The Radiators from Space, Chevron was to the fore of the Irish punk scene. Their 1979 album, Ghostown received critical acclaim upon release; a song from that album, Faithful Departed would be instantly recognisable to Christy Moore fans. In a story all too typical however of so many Irish musicians and rock acts, critical appreciation was not matched by commercial success.

The Radiators from Space released just two albums before disbanding. Chevron next came to prominence as guitarist with The Pogues, also writing many of their songs including Thousands are Sailing.


In later years, Chevron continued to play and record with The Pogues and also his original band, The Radiators from Space, which reformed in 2004. He was also involved in theatrical productions, which was another of his passions.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and fought a long battle before finally succumbing earlier this week at the age of 56. His funeral was attended by a large crowd of fans and admirers as well as fellow musicians and former band members.

His passing will be mourned by many but his legacy will certainly live on.


RIP Corner: Dead Famous Irish Artists

  • Luke Kelly (17 November 1940 – 30 January 1984)
  • Phil Lynott (20 August 1949 – 4 January 1986)
  • Ciarán Bourke (18 February 1935 – 10 May 1988)
  • Tom Clancy (29 October 1924 – 7 November 1990)
  • Rory Gallagher ( 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995)
  • Patrick Clancy (7 March 1922 – 11 November 1998)
  • Mic Christopher (21 September 1969 – 29 November 2001)
  • Bobby Clancy (May 14, 1927 – September 6, 2002)
  • Tommy Makem (November 4, 1932 – August 1, 2007)
  • Ronnie Drew (16 September 1934 – 16 August 2008)
  • Liam Clancy (2 September 1935 – 4 December 2009)
  • Gary Moore (4 April 1952 – 6 February 2011)
  • Barney McKenna (16 December 1939 – 5 April 2012)
  • Patrick "Pecker" Dunne (1 April 1933 – 19 December 2012)
  • Bernadette Therese "Bernie" Nolan (17 October 1960 – 4 July 2013)
  • Phil Chevron (17 June 1957 – 8 October 2013)
  • Seán Potts (5 October 1930 – 11 February 2014)
  • Jim McCann (26 October 1944 – 5 March 2015)
  • Val Doonican (3 February 1927 – 2 July 2015)
  • Pádraig Duggan (23 January 1949 – 9 August 2016)
  • Dolores O'Riordan (6 September 1971 – 15 January 2018)
  • Liam O'Flynn (15 April 1945 – 14 March 2018)
  • Tom McBride, aka Big Tom (18 September 1936 – 17 April 2018)
  • Peter Mooney aka Pete St. John (31 January 1932 – 12 March 2022)