Category: By Special Request

Rest in Power, Maire Brennan

Many years ago, I went into a now-defunct shop called Red Rose Gallerie, on Chestnut Street in San Francisco. I was there to buy incense and a couple of other things. Over the speakers in the shop that day, I heard the most ethereal, beautiful sound imaginable. So, I went to ask the clerk what they were playing. The answer: Clannad. I immediately bought the album they were playing.

The lead vocalist, Maire (Moya) Brennan, passed earlier this week due to complications of pulmonary fibrosis. She was 73.

I had the great pleasure of seeing Clannad perform live one time. The entire band were amazing, but Maire was a revelation.

This is the song I heard that day in Red Rose Gallerie.

Rest in Power, John Mayall

Hi, friends. If you read my By Special Request series, you’ll recall that I had the great good fortune of seeing John Mayall play at the Marin County Blues Festival in the 1980s.

John passed away, aged 90, on July 22. He will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year under the Musical Influencer category.

I’m reprising a bonus track here; “Room to Move” was John’s only US #1 hit. This video is literally the last song, from the last show he ever played.