Ronnie Drew

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Ronnie Drew, an Irish singer and folk musician, was born in Dun Laoghaire , County Dublin, on 16 September 1934. He founded The Dubliners with Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna and Ciaran Bourke in 1962. He was a member of the Dubliners from 1962 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1995. From 1995 on he pursued a solo career. In the fifties he emigrated to Spain to teach English and learn Spanish and Flamenco Guitar.

He is also known for fronting a campaign to encourage the use of Dublin's train infrastructure - Dublin Area Rapid Transit (the DART).

On August 22nd 2006 his handprints were added to the walk of fame outside Dublin's Gaeity theatre.

Has recorded with Antonio Breschi.

[edit] Solo discography

Ronnie Drew, 1976 Guaranteed, 1978 Dirty Rotten Shame, 1995 The Humour Is On Me Now, 1999 A Couple More Years (with Eleanor Shanley), 2000 An Evening With Ronnie Drew, 2004 El Amor De Mi Vida (with Eleanor Shanley), 2006

[edit] Declining health

Drew was reported to be in ill health in September 2006 after being admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, for tests for suspected cancer. Although he was released from the hospital, Drew is resting on doctors' advice. The Evening Herald suspected that Drew's apparent illness was due to years of heavy drinking. According to The Dubliners' fanpage site however, it is sadly reported that as of November 2006 he has been undergoing treatment for throat cancer. Drew has been a teetotaler for a number of years, with an occasional relapse. However, he is still a regular smoker