How to become one in your own lifetime

Not everyone has the privilege of becoming a legend in their own lifetime but there is one sure thing, this can certainly be said of the Wolfetones. They have endured for forty years despite being ignored by radio stations controlled by producers who deliberately omitted them from the airwaves. They endured despite the media bashing they got at times, the begrudgery, the jealousy and a cynical press who tried to write them out of existence. This was because they had a huge adoring loyal fan base that saw through the bias and were never influenced by what was said in the press. They bought their CD’s and Tapes and played them in their cars and personal stereos when the music of their choice was denied to them on the radio. They were aware of the blacklisting etc. and continued to support and follow the Tones who went on from strength to strength.

They have succeeded in bringing every generation along with them. So what is the secret of their success, how did they do it? What have they got that others don’t have? Many groups started during the ballad boom of the sixties and have all more or less sang themselves out of existence but not the Tones. They are still on top. I put these questions to Brian who said, “ The Wolfies are an unique blend of talents and ingredients our voices blend so well it creates a sound that’s instantly recognisable. We all have a passion for what we do. We are all sincere about what we sing about. We all love performing on stage. We never let anyone down. We have never disappointed. There is Tommy’s voice, Noel’s enthusiasm and humour as well as my energy and song writing. I have always believed that creativity was instrumental in keeping the group fresh; we were constantly bringing out new and exciting songs throughout the years while others stood still“. And I should mention these songs have become standards in Irish ballads books and are covered by many other acts worldwide.

Brian continues “Our stage show is strong in that it lasts for two and a half hours. Other groups are off before you even know they were on 50 minutes or an hour. Perhaps I believe we give value for money. These are just some of the things that made the Tones a lasting entity.”

There is no doubt they are a very talented group of people and could have made it in any musical field. They choose Irish music and ballads; a difficult genre to make your name in. “There were very few platforms” said Brian “and not many role models to follow. You might say we took it from scratch, created our own platforms, made our own brand of entertainment and in a short period of time we became one of the most successful acts to come out of Ireland.”

The Wolfetones were signed by Fontana records in early 1964 and were probably one of the first Irish groups to get a recording contract. “It was an exciting time,” said Brian. “We took the boat called The Princess Maude to Holyhead; I’ll never forget the journey. The boat was packed mainly with emigrants. We had the craic; we played a few songs, drank a few pints and got sick with all the rest of the passengers. We were all glad to see the other side. We continued by train to London and there in Phillips studios in Marble Arch on the following morning we recorded our first album. It was recorded in a day. We thought it was just the rehearsal. “Next song” said Mr Baverstock, the A and R man, “Fine now, next one” and so on. “That’s great!” he said “all done. You’ve just cut your first record”. They launched it soon after with a half page ad in the NME, a review of the album and full-page article about the group. The Tones were on their way. As well as the Tones, Fontana’s label boasted hit groups like, The Pretty Things, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders and a group called Dave, Dee, Dozy, Becky, Mitch, and Tich. All of these groups are well forgotten and have found a place on the musical scrap heap but the Tones are still going strong.

When you think about it, it’s remarkable that this humble beginning was the launch of one of the most successful recording acts to come out of Ireland. They have 26 albums to their credit, all of them Top 10 best sellers, numerous hit singles including 2 No. 1’s, top selling videos and DVD’s. They have succeeded in going triple platinum with their current three CD’s; “You’ll Never Beat The Irish”, “Best of the Wolfetones live” and “Rebels and heroes”. Their popularity goes on and on.

They have graced almost every major stage in the world, The Royal Albert Hall London, Carnegie hall New York, the Paris Olympia, Victoria Hall Sydney to name but a few. They have played the major festivals from L’Orient France to Milwaukee in the US. They played at Siamsa Cois Laoi in Cork where they stole the show from all the visiting major international acts that came there. None of them could compete with the popularity of the Tones in Ireland.

What’s left for them to achieve? “Well” said Brian “I would like to get a hit record in America I think we have the songs and I look forward to it as one of the challenges of the future.”

They were very popular with the Diaspora although many never bothered with the Tones until they found themselves abroad. It was only then they saw the value of the group and of Irish songs and ballads. They needed an identity, a brand of music they could call their own, music that would remind them of home. It was not to be found in the music of U2 or Van Morrison who were really just mimicking American artists. Instead they found their story, the story of Ireland and their country in the music of the Tones. “We supported the emigrant movement for legal status in America” said Brian “and preformed at a fund raiser at Town Hall New York” when no one else were bothered about them. “This issue was important to us because we seen the plight of our emigrants first hand”.

It should be said they were consistent over the years. Other acts jumped on and off popular bandwagons as it suited the moment. They continuously supported the people of the six counties in their struggle for peace and justice, the emigrants abroad and were the true reflection of their times.

I had to ask Brian about his brother leaving the band “Derek was unhappy in the group. The Wolfetones were always a band, a sum of musical talents. I think he wanted to pursue a solo career. It’s too bad it didn’t work out for him because he has now resorted to being a kind of Wolfetones tribute band. I tend to look at life positively, we have had great success over the recent years and I never look back. ”

I then asked him what were the future plans for the Wolfetones. Where do you go from here? He smiled and said, “This will be our last touring year next year we will concentrate on recording and bigger shows. You will see the Tones performing at select venues, like the Point and at major festivals. We will handpick where we go in the future and what we do. There is no way we could continue the strenuous touring schedule we have had for the past 40 years. It’s time to slow down.”

Maybe they might slow down but the storybook is not yet closed. Good luck lads and may you be on the one road for another 40 healthy years!

Have you ever asked yourself why the Wolfe Tones don’t get play on Radio or fair treatment in the press? We have been and are consistently one of the most popular bands in Ireland over a career spanning 55 years. We sold more records than U2 in the years 2001/2 and are more popular than ever with the young people of Ireland. We have, in my opinion, the best living Irish-ballad singer in Tommy Byrne and together with myself and Noel Nagle are one of the few true folk groups remaining in Ireland.

There is something wrong when the media goes to such great lengths to try to ignore the existence of the mighty Tones or when and if they do acknowledge them, they ridicule slag or devalue their contribution to our musical heritage. Is there begrudgery or jealousy out there or is it just that they want to brainwash the Irish people with music of little value or consequence to them? One can speculate the reasons why, i.e. to divert their attention from the story and music of their own land, perhaps to keep their attention away from England’s role in the impoverishment and division of our country.

Most countries would be delighted to have a group of bards like the Tones. Many great journalists who held nationalist opinions were driven from the media, mainly to scare others from expressing Irish republican views. There were many disc-jockeys whose contract were not renewed. All these events conspired to the point at which DJs were afraid to play the Tones and journalists were frightened to give a favourable report. Section 31 also scared DJs and journalists who afraid of losing their jobs, shied away from the Tones. And so the Wolfe Tones were taboo, banned or blacklisted. In this manner the media, both radio and press was left in the hands of Anglophiles or those who were indifferent to Ireland, its music, or its heritage. This must change, and it will change because there are many wonderful journalists and D.J’s who have nothing but good will for Ireland its song and music.

I will give you an example of the skulduggery that went on over the years: It was popular for magazines and newspapers to hold poles of popularity. These were fine when they were held by open vote. They held them for best group, best song etc. The Wolfies always won at least in one or two of the categories. It must have annoyed somebody so they changed the system of voting and created a list of groups to vote from and guess what? It excludes The Wolfetones and their songs. If they don’t like the message why shoot the messenger. Just look at what happened the year when an open vote was held by the B.B.C world service for the best song ever in the world. The Wolfetones were returned at No 1 with “A Nation Once Again” beating the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Queen, U 2,Frank Sanatra, Bing Crosby and many of the top Asian Middle Eastern and African Musical entertainers.

Who owns Irish radio and why is it discriminatory towards the Wolfetones? Why don’t they give them fair play ? Their treatment by the radio stations is an example of blatant blacklisting. The popularity of the Wolfetones and their Irish ballads is well established. They have consistently sold records in high quantities and had numerous top twenty hits. So why the lack of airtime to correspond with this great success? Irish radio should reflect the music that is popular in the country. Instead it reflects the music that is popular in England or America. Why is this allowed to happen? They are our airwaves and should reflect our taste in music! Most other countries have a quota system to give a percentage to the national music and talent and to reflect the musical taste of their land. The pop stations tell us that Irish ballads are not suitable programming for their audience. We urge everyone to let them know this is wrong, let them know what you want, let them know you want to hear the Tones. Please write to these stations and request the Tones, to request their songs. Thank you for listening

The Wolfetones performed a special concert on Easter weekend in 2016 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Brian Warfield, one of the best song writers of his generation wrote many new songs to mark the occasion. He also re-worked many old songs with new arrangements that were spectacular and amazing. The pre planning and composing for this concert took over 12 months, when Brian commenced his research to write these new pieces of work.

The Celtic Symphony Orchestra, which comprised over 40 classical musicians from Ireland's leading orchestras, also performed as part of this concert to create a unique and exciting musical canvas for the event. It was by far the only musical tribute and musical event to celebrate the heroes of 1916 across Easter weekend. Over 8,000 people attended the event at the Citywest complex coming from over 28 different countries. Now is your chance to own a collection fo CD's and DVDs that recorded this memorable occasion that you can experience over and over again.

You can purchase this unique, one in a lifetime concert here.

What became known as the great famine occurred between 1845 and 52 and was one of the greatest catastrophies of the nineteenth century. It resulted in the deaths of millions of people from starvation and disease and a decline in Irelands population through emigration. It was thought by many to be an English induced famine used by a government to solve the Irish question. The potato failed from blight but the country was full of food, which was taken away from those who grew it, to be consumed by the expanding workforce of the industrial boom in England or by its army overseas. The English hid behind the fact that they were the constitutional government for the Irish people pretending to be concerned by begging food for her people abroad while at the same time by constitutional policies taking the food from the people. They were ruthless in putting down all attempts by the Irish for self-government and all attempts of resistance. They passed laws that made it a crime for a father to protect his children or his home from destruction. They passed coercion laws that made it a crime for the Irish to leave their homes between sunrise and sunset or to hold arms. They had a well-fed armed guard of military and police watch over them while they starved. Never in the history of mankind was there a government who acted so cruelly to its people. Ireland never needed the begging bowl. It had its own food grown in its own land and only needed its own concerned legislatures to pass laws to save her people. The constitutional Government of England was then the most powerful in the world and had the ear of the world through its influence and press. They manipulated the facts to cover up the real truth of what was happening in Ireland the mass murder of its people and the destruction of Ireland. An English induced constitutional famine.

There were many reasons put forward by them to explain the great famine during the 1840’s. The shortage of food was one. This was a myth. During the famine years there was plenty of food in Ireland enough to feed double its population. Yes the potato failed but all other crops thrived. Under the system at the time Irish food was exported mainly to English markets but from they're found its way to many parts of the world. It puzzled many to hear there was famine in a land that had so much food to export .In normal countries it was usual to export food only after its population was fed. This was not the case in Ireland; during the period her food was taken away against the wishes of her people, usually at gunpoint and escorted to the ports under military guard. It was then carried away on ships leaving misery and starvation behind.

Over population or surplus people

Another reason put forward was over population or surplus people. This was certainly not the cause of famine. How could there be a surplus people when at the same time they produced a surplus of food. Why not let the surplus people eat some of the surplus food, there would still be plenty left to export. After the famine when the population of Ireland was halved by deaths and emigration the poverty of her people continued. The country suffered numerous food shortages and famines after the 1840’s one in 1877/8 and again in '79.

1879 was of a disastrous nature. It failed again in 1885 and once again in the west in 1889and1890. The plight of the Irish never improved even when the population decreased and halved disproving the theory of over population.

Providentialism

It was a poplar theory among apologists for the government at the time to blame the calamity on the providence of god but those very people who put forward this theory did not give credit to the same god who gave an abundance of all the other crops. The wheat the barley and oats thrived and were healthy and plentiful. The potato blight could be put down to the providence of god but the famine was the result of bad government from England.

Dependence and laziness

Visitors often observed Young healthy men idling in towns and villages which was wrongly put down to laziness. The real reason for their idleness was a lack of meaningful work or opportunities of gainful employment. This was the result of deliberate policies implemented by successive English governments, which destroyed the commerce, trade and industry of the country. By the eve of the famine Ireland’s industries were decimated and her people reduced to a total state of beggary and impoverishment.

The Irish could never be accused of laziness they worked hard to cultivate impossible patches of ground, they carried seaweed up hills and mountains to prepare ground for potatoes. No other race would have put so much effort for so little reward. They travelled great distances for seasonal work just to earn a pittance to help them pay exorbitant rents at home. They harvested and planted the farms in England and Scotland providing cheap labour for farmers there. When they emigrated and were given opportunities and independence they became very successful captains of industry, educators, miners and hard working labourers. They willingly took on the work that others would not do, building canals, great bridges railways, and worked in dangerous conditions in steel mills, coal mines, factories and the sweatshops of the cities. These are not characteristics of a lazy people. But the idleness of the people has all the hallmarks of a subjective downtrodden population misgoverned by a despotic regime entrapped and imprisoned by poverty and without incentives or means of escape.

Land.

The manner in which land was held contributed to the problem, most farmers lived in constant fear of eviction and were tenants at will. There was no industry so the land became the only means of survival for the majority of the people of Ireland. In the rush for land people went to great lengths to acquire it. They paid rents that were too high and in many cases beyond the capacity for the land to sustain. They had no security of tenure, were rack rented and even had to give bribes to secure a lease. They got no compensation for improvements to lands or dwellings and could be evicted at the will of the landlord. Most landlords were absentee and had agents administering their estates. They cared little for their tenants who were usually cheated and exploited for profits. When famine ensued and the poor laws became a burden to them they evicted their tenant ruthlessly to certain death. Whole areas were cleared killing masses of men women and children. The quarter acre clause was an amendment to the poor laws to appease landlords. This amendment forced landholders to give up their farm in order to receive poor relief, it caused widespread hardship and became another instrument of mass extermination. It is interesting to note that by 1841, only 5 % of lands were in the ownership of the native Irish. The rents from Irish land were another invisible earner for England’s economy money sent abroad that was much needed in Ireland. How did these ruthless landlords get their lands, did the buy it? No, they get it by fraud, steal it and dispossess the original owners.

Dependence

Since the act of union, which was passed by bribery and corruption and against the wishes of the people, Ireland was given disproportionate representation in the imperial parliament, were in a minority and were forced to depend on English legislators to pass laws on her behalf. During the famine the Irish were helpless and could not legislate for the people’s protection. England was in total control of her purse strings, her trade, land, food and security and therefore responsible for the destruction of the people. In all of these areas the Irish were unwilling dependants. Just two years prior to the famine the Irish people had agitated in millions for repeal of the union. History has shown how right they were in seeking self-government, Ireland could have saved itself, with its own parliament and its own leaders in power. Instead Irish leaders and politicians had to watch in frustration as an uncaring imperial government legislated for starvation, misery and death.

Bad / Cruel government

Bad government was the major cause of the famine, Ireland was treated as a colony not as an equal and used for the benefit of England. During the famine laws and legislation were passed which favoured their interest over Irelands. They adopted a policy of lazes fare, free trade and non-interference. Ireland was not the only land effected by potato blight but every other country managed to save its population. Why did it not happen in Ireland? Some countries closed their ports to exports and imported substitute foods, some from Ireland. The Irish party proposed these same measures plus many other positive suggestions. Why did the English government not adopt them? O’Connell asked them to leave the oats, to tax absentee landlords, use the proceeds of the forests and to put people to work on productive schemes. Not one of these proposals was adopted. The government failed the people by not providing the means or measures to save them from starvation. They used the famine to solve the problem as they saw it of overpopulation and poverty. They had felt their power challenged by the repeal movement and the sheer numbers that rallied around it. English officials were also frightened of the vast numbers of Ireland’s population. They allowed the famine to occur because they saw an opportunity to reduce the population, to punish Ireland, and bring it back under its control. Prior to the famine mass emigration was proposed as a remedy to the Irish question of poverty and population control. The idea had been abandoned because the logistics of moving so many people to British North America were thought to be too great. They took advantage of the potato blight to implement policies to achieve their aims and settle the Irish problem permanently.

In a address to the house of commons Lord George Bentinck said that ”never before was there an instance of a Christian government allowing so many people to perish without interfering. The time will come when we shall know what the amount of mortality’s been when the public and the world will be able to estimate, at its proper value your management of affairs in Ireland”

Robert Peel

He was in power at the beginning of the tragedy, with a little effort he could have saved the population and the structures before they broke down. The potato blight of 45 although serious was partial and not widespread. He was obsessed by the Corn Laws, which were of little benefit to Ireland and used the potato loss to force them through parliament. The results were cheap food for England while lessening the return for Irelands agricultural produce so Irish farmers had to export more food to pay their rents. He did however buy $100,000 worth of Indian meal to relieve pressure on the market during times of shortages but this has to be measured against a potato loss worth 10 million. Most people during that first year had to spend all their savings to buy food and seed to provide for the future and see them over the crisis until harvest. A harvest that was disastrous because the potato totally failed all over the country’

John Russell

He was disastrous for Ireland and the lives and suffering of millions must be charged to his name. He could have at least followed the example of Peel and brought in a substitute to relieve the market, instead this political economist presided over a policy of free trade at the expense of human life and misery. He had his soldiers shoot down hunger maddened peasants who were trying to prevent there food from leaving the land .He bankrupted the landowners and farmers by wasting there money on useless schemes. At the height of the famine he closed the public works to phase in soup kitchens and left thousands of families to starve during the period of transition. The Society of Friends forewarned him of the devastation it would cause but he chose to ignore them. He could have used the encumbered estates to implement land reform instead he choose a policy to encourage English and Scottish settlers. He wasted Irish money on providing and supporting extra police and military, not for the people’s protection but to subdue and force them to submit to starvation. When the people fought back he disarmed them proclaimed whole districts and made them prisoners in there own homes. He increased the fares for steerage passenger to England to prevent the hungry poor from escaping there and made Ireland a prison for them, without food. He presided over the mass exodus of her people, to North America that was unprecedented at the time. Forced in many cases to take sub standard ships under provisioned and unfit for human transportation. He refused to provide money and assistance to help the government of Canada cope with the huge influx of sick and dying flung on their shores. He watched as millions starved to death without helping. He gave a deaf ear to the cries of children. It was unknown in the world to put people through such agonising torture over such a long period of time. Some of his own officials described it as a policy of extermination and it is very difficult to see it otherwise.

Ireland - a Colony

Under the colonial system there was a shortage of cash in the country. The crops and produce were exported but so too was the money gained by the sale, in the form of rents to absentees. Ireland contributed vast sums to the imperial treasury in tax money held over and above what was spent in the country. Irish taxes went to support their wars and expansionist policies across the world but in return received none of the benefits. The proceeds from the forests were claimed as the property of the crown and used during a time of famine to build Trafalgar square and to beautify Windsor castle, every resource was taken from Ireland leaving widespread destitution and starvation behind. Yes the usual food left for the Irish failed but why were the other crops exported. No substitute food was provided and when available they were insufficient. What were the people expected to live on?

There was no shortage of food but it was exported because under the system there was a shortage of money in Ireland to purchase it. In desperation during the early stages People were forced to sell everything they possessed to buy food, their cloths, cooking utensils, their turf and implements of trade, thus worsening their chances of future survival. The little money that was available in the country was spent on imported meal, brought thousands of miles across land and sea, giving huge profits to merchants and ship owner. Then sold to a starving Irish people who had little money at greatly inflated prices. Money was spent on emigration drained the resources and gave further profits to ship owners. These are the results of the actions of uncaring and vindictive colonial governments that put self- interest over human life and suffering.

Charity and Remittances

Many lives were saved by the charitable efforts of others. The Society of Friends distributed over 200,000 worth of food and clothing. Irish charities were responsible for over 300,000 of relief. The British associations handled over 400,000 but were used by government to prop up bankrupt unions, which should have been their responsibility. A considerable proportion of this money had been donated be Irish people in the colonial services and the military. Remittances from relatives and friends living abroad must run into millions and saved many from starvation by providing money for food or emigration. The amount of food shared by neighbours is incalculable and must run into millions. In a lot of cases the charitable relief was only temporary and just postponed the moment of death.

THE COST OF THE FAMINE

The exchequer advanced 10,700,000 between 1845/50. This was mostly paid by Ireland. For instance improvements and drainage schemes under the La Bouchere letter were not a gift from government they were charged to land. The cost of this scheme to Irish landowners when in operation between 1846 and 48 was 1,191,187. Ireland was charged the sum of 4,845,062. paid through rates etc. thus leaving 4,687,649 paid by government. They also paid 70,000 in freight charges for food donated to Ireland from abroad. When you consider the immense size of the catastrophe and the vast amounts of money taken out of Ireland I don’t believe it was generous or expedient or a wholehearted effort to save the Irish people. It was mean and begrudging and mainly driven by world opinion. By refusing to make the famine an imperial problem they forced upon Ireland the impossible task of saving its self. Making Ireland pay the costs while controlling the policies, the schemes and manner in which her money was spent.

THE COST OF LIFE

The cost in human terms were enormous .Can you put a price on misery and suffering is there a price tag on mortality? How can you gauge the worth of a father or mother or what Value can you place on lost children? A whole nation was sacrificed and left to perish because of the unwillingness of the governments to give financial assistance to rescue Ireland from the black hole of famine and disease. The language, the folk culture and social structures were disseminated by the devastation. What value can be placed at this type of loss? These are priceless and in many cases can never be replaced. Whole family lines and communities that had lived and survived in Ireland for thousands of years were brought to a sad end. Remember Britain was then the richest country in the world and was actively expanding its influence across the world and had within its power the means to save the Irish people.

DEVON COMMISSION

What happened to the millions referred to by the Devon commission who’s only food was the potato and only beverage water? There food was gone but there is no evidence to suggest they got substitute food from other sources. They had no resources or money for food or emigration .In normal years they were on the verge of starvation for two months of the summer. They must have perished.

TABLES OF DEATH

It is difficult to state with accuracy the amount of life lost during the years no records were kept. The figures vary in accordance with the writer’s views; some play it down others exaggerate .If you believe the census of 1841 there was 8,175000 people in Ireland leaving the figure of just over one million deaths. This does not take into account the natural increase in the population that would have occurred had there been no famine. There is no doubt that this figure needs to be revised. Based on a partial recount in 41 the population could have been as high as 10,897,449 before the famine in 1841 allowing for natural increase it would have reached approx. 11,815 011. In 1851

THE CENSUS OF 1851

The census of 51 only records 6,552,385 leaving; if you believe the higher figure, a loss of over 5 millions with 1.5 million emigrate. The numbers remaining would roughly tally with the numbers on the verge of starvation reported by Devon. The census form sought information concerning deaths in each family since the previous one of ‘41 - in all 985,366 deaths were recorded in this manner. This figure of course is not the total number lost during the period; it does not take into account whole families who emigrated and were not around to fill a form, or those who died in the fever sheds in Liverpool Greenock Grosse ile or at sea. It does not account for those who were evicted and left by the roadside to die or those who were living in hovels described by Devon on the sides of hills and mountains. It did not account for whole families who were wiped out by famine and disease. It does not account for those who died by the roadside the fields, ditches and potato patches. Less we forget even one soul I would opt for a higher figure than those based on the census. Whatever the loss of life it was a holocaust that had no parallel at the time and ranks as one of the greatest human tragedies of all time.

Why have the Irish people and more importantly the Irish Diaspora in America, Australia, England, Scotland and Wales not received an apology or compensation for their suffering? They tell us it is passed and should be forgotten that is unacceptable. Why should the world forget the cruelty of past generations like the imposed famine or the mass destruction of innocent people in Germany or Africa?

WE MUST NEVER FORGET AND WE MUST TELL THE WORLD SO THE WORLD CAN LEARN FROM THE CRUELTY OF THE PAST AND OF MAN’S INHUMANITY TO MAN.

BRIAN WARFIELD wrote music to mark the Great Irish Famine entitled Celtic Exodus. It is a musical tribute to the millions of souls who lost their life in one of the greatest genocides of world history.

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In a exclusive interview with Brian Warfield, we are pleased to tell you the real story behind an extremely eventful year for the Wolfe Tones.

The day is Sunday October 13th 2002. The Wolfe Tones have just played a successful concert at the National Stadium in Dublin, and are on their way to the Airport this morning to complete their UK tour. As I drive through the rain to meet with Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones, I ponder on the questions that so many of their fans would like some straight answers to.

Are the Wolfe Tones Broke up? Is there a split? Will they still tour? Will they record again?

Many friends and fans are very concerned as they are one of the few voices left to tell the story of Ireland, and one of the last of the great ballad groups of the 60’s boom. They were, and still are, very important to Ireland and to the Irish communities across the world. They brought a little bit of Ireland into their lives and their songs concerning Ireland and Irish emigration - Music they could relate to and songs that told their story. There was many an emigrant whose life was lifted by a show in the National in Kilburn, in Birmingham, or at the Archway in London. They could sing proudly of their country without looking over their shoulder. Sing the Irish National anthem and stand proud without fear. They amassed legions of fans across Britain not only among the Irish Diaspora but with the second and third generation, who enjoyed listening to songs and stories of their history and heritage. The Wolfe Tones are legends in their own lifetime.

I asked Brian why Derek broke up with the band after so many years trooping together and he was quite candid with me: “The group consisted of four very talented people all pulling together and contributing to what was the Wolfe Tones. This was the way it was for many years until Oliver Barry went into Radio and ceased managing our group. Derek unfortunately seen (sic) this as on opportunity to gain control and committed the group to a contract in America which gave the rights of our recordings to a record company in perpetuity. He signed the contract and misrepresented its contents to us. He refused to co-operate with the rest of the group in reversing the contract and relationships went down hill. This action prevented the group recording for twelve years. We felt he was putting self-interest above the interests of the group. He was referring to himself as the leader of the band, which of course he never was. No one had elected him so. We tried to get things back on track at several meetings and offered him an opportunity to continue touring for another couple of years if he towed the line and worked with us. It became more and more apparent by his actions he was not prepared to work with the group. He was obviously more interested in pursuing a solo career. Indeed, we generously asked him to contribute to our new CD ‘You’ll Never Beat the Irish’. At first he refused. He later called the record company and said he would agree - But it was felt he was just stalling the release, which was scheduled for late October 2001. The CD became a best seller at Christmas and has gone from strength to strength. It’s sold way over double platinum - no mean achievement”.

I then asked Brian what the future holds for the Wolfe Tones: “We have had a very successful year so far this year A huge hit CD and Single with ‘You’ll never beat the Irish; Our appearance on the Late Late Show had the biggest reaction since Pat Kenny began hosting the show; A sell out tour in America in February and March and a festival tour in June where we sold out four nights in Boston; Then of course our tour of Britain last May was a wonderful success; There was only one problem. We received many complaints about the way Derek was falsely advertising himself as the Wolfe Tones. This is very misleading and blatantly trying to fool people. He was only one member of our group so he can never be the Wolfe Tones”.

Brian goes on to explain, “I think it is very important to continue the work of the Wolfe Tones. The group is bigger than any one man so we are glad to tell our friends and fans that we will continue and we will be touring England and Scotland this October. The show is bigger and better than ever. We have just finished the Irish tour and the highlight had to be the Ardoyne Fleadh, where over twenty thousand people watched and enjoyed the music and songs of the Wolfe Tones. The atmosphere emotion and craic was mighty. We played sixty shows and got great reviews and reaction everywhere. Most comments from our fans were favourable; in fact they said we were better than ever. Of course, we had a great night at the National Stadium (Dublin) last night, where we begun recording a new Live CD and DVD. It was really great to be back playing in our hometown. We continue the recording at the Barrowlands in Glasgow next week (18th Oct). This will be broadcast on RTE and public TV in the states, so we’re really looking forward to that. The shows at the Barrows are always brilliant and the Celtic supporters are the best in the world. Three of us will now be touring as the Wolfe Tones 3: Noel Nagle, whose father founded the New Eire girls pipe band, continues the tradition and plays the whistle and sings the songs he loves; then Tommy Byrne, who many believe is the greatest ballad singer in Ireland since Luke Kelly; last, but hopefully not least, myself (Brian), I will continue writing songs that tell the story of Ireland and its people and be very proud to do so for many years to come”.

Well we certainly hope so, Brian, I said you have given the world the true story of our land over the years with songs like Joe Mc Donnell, Celtic Symphony and you never forgot the Irish in Britain with the classic song my Heart is in Ireland. May you prosper and continue for many years to come. There is only one Wolfe Tones.

Paul Preston - Wolfe Tones Fan - (In an exclusive interview with Brian Warfield for the Wolfe Tones Official Website)