Christy Dignam

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Christy Dignam is the lead singer of the popular Irish rock-band Aslan. His career of over twenty-five years has been characterized by numerous successes on the Irish charts as well as recurring problems with drug addiction and recovery.

1 Life
2 Singing career
3 Drug addiction
4 Trivia
5 References
6 Further reading

[edit] Life

Dignam was born in the Holles Street Hospital in Dublin in May of 1960, and grew up in the north Dublin suburb of Finglas.

On a November 12, 2004 talk show appearance on RTE television's The Late Late Show Dignam related that he was sexually abused as a young child by a neighbour. The neighbour, whom he declined to name, is long dead according to Dignam. ^[1]He has often described having an 'emptiness inside', possibly caused by sex abuse as a child.

Dignam studied the classical art of Bel Canto singing with teacher Frank Merriman at the Bel Canto House School of Singing in Dublin, Ireland.^[2]

Dignam has been married for over 20 years to Kathryn and has a daughter Kiera, and grandson Cian.

[edit] Singing career

Dignam formed an early version of Aslan called Meelah XVIII. Meelah XVIII created a recording for the Dave Fanning Show on 2FM in 1980. The Meelah XVIII songs "Toy Soldier" and "Meelah Pt. 2" were included on the Aslan triple CD, The "Rarities" disc from the "The Platinum Collection".

As Aslan singles "This Is", "Please Don't Stop", "Loving Me Lately", "Pretty Thing" and "Feel No Shame" began to become popular, Dignam's relationship with his bandmates was becoming strained due to his problem with heroin addiction. On Wednesday September 7, 1988, The Star newspaper headlined "ASLAN: IT'S THE END" informing the public about Dignam's separation from Aslan. The remaining members of the band continued Aslan for some time with a new lead singer, Eamon Doyle, before the band eventually split. Dignam went solo with guitarist Conor Goff, forming Dignam & Goff.

However, on July 11, 1993 Aslan reformed, for what was supposed to be a 'once off gig' in Finglas. With the spark reignited and with new material, Aslan continued and became one of Ireland's most successful and hard-working bands.^[2] Their studio albums include "Feel No Shame", "Goodbye Charlie Moonhead", "Here Comes Lucy Jones" and "Waiting For The Madness To End". They have had two best of albums "Shame About Lucy Moonhead" and the triple album "The Platinum Collection". They have had a best selling live album "Made In Dublin" and an official bootleg album (available at gigs) called "Aslan Live At The Olympia" which features appearances from Jerry Fish, Relish and Damien Rice.

[edit] Drug addiction

Dignam turned to heroin in the 1980s, and his involvement with the drug caused the conflicts which led to his eventual separation with the band Aslan.

He has entered drug treatment programs multiple times, including a stint in a rehab program in a Buddhist monastery, Wat Tham Krabok, in Thailand in 2004. ^[1]

Dignam related his story of drug addction in an autobiography entitled This is Christy Dignam written with journalist Neil Fetherstonhaugh and published by Merlin Publishing.^[3] Dignam's book is so candid and honest about the pain and suffering of drug addiction that it has led one reviewer to say it “should be required reading for anyone hovering on the edges of the drug culture.” ^[4]

[edit] Trivia

Dignam used to be the mentor of a young teenage melodic band called No Angels
Dignam was once asked to be vocalist of rock band Marillion.
Dignam lists Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, T-Rex, The Rolling Stones, and John Lennon as his musical influences.
People who have admired or been inspired by Dignam include Damien Dempsey, Jerry Fish, Damien Rice, George Murphy, Rob Smith, Alabama 3, Mark Cagney and more.

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Dignam, Christy. Interview. The Late, Late Show. Int. Pat Kenny. RTĔ Television, Ireland. 2004-11-12.
^ ^a ^b Dromey, Paul. "The Pride of Lions", Irish Examiner, 2001-05-29. Retrieved on 2006-10-11.
^ Dignam, Christy; with Neil Fetherstonhaugh (2004-01). This Is-- Christy Dignam. Dublin, Ireland: Merlin Publishing, 296 pages. ISBN 1-903582-56-3.
^ "Shefflin’s play host to Dublin veterans", Waterford News & Star, 2004-09-17. Retrieved on 2006-11-04.