O'Kane, Gerry - ST

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Gerry O’Kane was an Irish-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose deep voice, storytelling lyricism, and traditional folk sensibility made him a beloved figure on the Canadian music scene from the mid-1970s through the 1990s.

Originally from Northern Ireland, O’Kane settled in Canada in the early 1970s, quickly immersing himself in the growing folk circuit of Ontario. A gifted instrumentalist equally adept on guitar, harmonica, tambourine, and bodhrán, he combined the Celtic roots of his homeland with a distinctly Canadian voice—at once earthy, poetic, and reflective of the immigrant experience.

In 1976, O’Kane released his self-titled debut LP on Boot Records (BOS 7167), produced by Chuck Goudie and engineered by Peter Mann at Eastern Sound, Toronto. The album featured a seasoned studio lineup including Jimmy McGinley (guitar, mandolin), Fred McKenna (bass, fiddle), Dan Hynek (keyboards), and Marty Buziak (drums), with artwork and photography by Ethna O’Kane. A mix of original compositions and traditional material, the record balanced introspective songwriting (“Down Comes the Grey Rain,” “Gatineau Valley Song”) with Irish folk influences, most notably his arrangement of the traditional “Black Jack Davey.”

By the late 1970s, O’Kane had become a fixture of the Kingston folk scene, fronting the Irish-Canadian group Rakish Paddy alongside Noel Lenaghan and Andy Craw. The band earned a loyal following for their energetic pub sets blending reels, jigs, and contemporary folk tunes—a tradition that O’Kane would continue to champion throughout his career.

His easy rapport with audiences and deep well of traditional songs made him a favorite performer in Irish pubs and coffeehouses across Ontario, particularly at The Harp and Thistle and The Wellington in Kingston. Two self-released cassette albums capture this period: Another Round! Gary O’Kane at the Harp and Thistle (1985) and Live at the Wellington (1994, WRC4-6757), both recorded in the convivial settings that defined his performing life.

Beyond his musical pursuits, O’Kane was also a talented visual artist and painter, exhibiting work that often drew upon the same cultural and emotional landscapes explored in his songs. He eventually returned to Northern Ireland, where he continued to paint, perform, and write until his passing on March 22, 2022, in County Down.

Gerry O’Kane’s body of work—spanning a rare Boot Records LP, two independently issued live cassettes, and decades of performances in pubs and halls—reflects a life dedicated to music, friendship, and the timeless spirit of Irish-Canadian storytelling.
-Robert Williston

Gerry O’Kane: guitar, harmonica, tambourine, bodhran
Jimmy McGinley: guitar, mandolin
Fred McKenna: bass, fiddle
Dan Hynek: keyboards
Marty Buziak: drums

All songs composed by Gerry O’Kane except “Black Jack Davey,” traditional, arranged by Gerry O’Kane
Produced by Chuck Goudie
Engineered by Peter Mann
Recorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto, Ontario
Executive producer: Jury Krytiuk

Artwork and photographs by Ethna O’Kane

Fred McKenna appears courtesy of RCA Records

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