Christy Dignam

Christy Dignam

Christy Dignam onstage
Background information
Birth name Christy Dignam
Born 23 May 1960
Origin Finglas, Dublin, Ireland
Genres Rock
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Vocalist
Labels EMI
Associated acts Aslan, Dignam & Goff

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

Early life

Born at Holles Street Hospital in Dublin on 23 May 1960, Dignam grew up in the North Dublin suburb of Finglas. He studied the classical art of bel canto singing with teacher Frank Merriman at the Bel Canto House School of Singing in Dublin. At the age of six he was raped by a neighbour. This continued to occur over a three-year period until, at the age of nine, Dignam sought help from his best friend's brother, a man in his twenties. During the meeting with his best friend's brother Dignam explained his situation. He was then raped by this man as well. Dignam later suggested his drug addiction may have resulted from the psychological trauma caused by these events.[1]

Music 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". Meelah XVIII musicians were Christy Dignam, Tony Talbot, Mick McKenna, Joe Jewell, and Gerry Conlon.

As Aslan singles "This Is", "Please Don't Stop", "Loving Me Lately", "Pretty Thing" and "Feel No Shame" became popular, Dignam's relationship with his bandmates was becoming strained due to his problems with heroin addiction. On Wednesday 7 September 1988, The Star newspaper ran with the headline "ASLAN: IT'S THE END", informing the public of Dignam's separation from Aslan. The remaining members of the band continued as 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 11 July 1993 Aslan reformed, for what was supposed to be a "once off gig" in Finglas. With a reignited spark and new material, Aslan continued to become one of Ireland's most successful and hard-working bands.[1] 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 also 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.

Influences

Dignam lists Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, T-Rex, Bon Jovi, Phil Lynott, The Rolling Stones, and John Lennon as his musical influences. He has also been listed as influencing groups like Damien Dempsey, Jerry Fish, Damien Rice, George Murphy, Rob Smith, Alabama 3, and more.

Personal life

Dignam has been married for more than 20 years to his wife Kathryn, and has a daughter, Kiera, who is also a singer. He has a grandson, Cian, and a granddaughter, Ava.

Health

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

He entered multiple drug treatment programs, including a stint in a rehab program in a Buddhist monastery, Wat Tham Krabok, in Thailand in 2004. This was featured in the documentary Heroin: Facing The Dragon.[2]

Dignam recounted his story of drug addiction in his autobiography, This is Christy Dignam, co-written by journalist Neil Fetherstonhaugh and published by Merlin Publishing.[3] One reviewer said it "should be required reading for anyone hovering on the edges of the drug culture."[4]

In September 2010, Dignam was admitted to hospital for tests.[5]

Cancer diagnosis

Dignam was initially admitted to hospital with a suspected chest infection; this progressed to pneumonia. After numerous tests were carried out in March 2013, he was diagnosed with cancer.[6] Upon returning to consciousness Dignam spoke of having had a near-death experience which prompted doctors to inject him with two shots of adrenaline. Dignam said, "There was a blockage in my arm where the adrenaline was going in so they had to slit the side of my neck, straight into the jugular and right down into my heart. I felt like I had died for a minute or so, nothing seemed to matter, then suddenly the adrenaline restarted my heart."[7] Dignam said his wife had saved his life: "She took one look at me and said 'I don't care if you divorce me for this, I'm calling an ambulance'"[8]

Further reading

References

  1. 1 2 Dromey, Paul (29 May 2001). "The Pride of Lions". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 15 April 2003. Retrieved 11 October 2006.
  2. ↑ Dignam, Christy. "Interview with Pat Kenny". The Late, Late Show. RTĔ Television, Ireland. 12 November 2004.
  3. ↑ Dignam, Christy; Neil Fetherstonhaugh (January 2004). This Is-- Christy Dignam. Dublin, Ireland: Merlin Publishing. p. 296 pages. ISBN 1-903582-56-3.
  4. ↑ "Shefflin's play host to Dublin veterans". Waterford News & Star. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2006.
  5. ↑ "Christy Dignam to undergo tests". RTÉ. 20 September 2010.
  6. ↑ "Aslan star Christy diagnosed with cancer". RTÉ Ten. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  7. ↑ Sweeney, Ken (3 April 2013). "Singer Christy Dignam speaks of cancer battle". Evening Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  8. ↑ Sweeney, Ken (3 April 2013). "'My wife made me go to hospital – she saved my life'". Evening Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2013.

External links

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