Tom McManamon

[Simon]

R.I.P Tommy

[Sue McKenna]

Hi to everyone who has contributed to this site, dedicated to Tom. I am Tom's partner and first looked at this site shortly after Tom's death and was comforted by all the messages of support and affection for Tom. Life is so empty without him.
I would like to thank everyone for their contributions and all who attended the funeral service. I hope it was a fitting tribute to Tom.

I would not normally get involved in discussions taking place here but I have just looked at this site again tonight and am a little dismayed at some of the politics going on. Tom, as well as being a brilliant musician, was a wild, kind, gentle giant of a man. Although he gave out sometimes he rarely had bad words to say about anyone. One thing he disliked in his life as a musician was any political backbiting and sniping between band members, liggers, hangers on and 'namedrops keep falling on my headers', (I'm sure you get the picture).

Tom was always loyal in love, friendship, music and morals. He just drank too much! Who came to the funeral, who didnt come, why, why not, doesn't really matter-it's not going to bring our Tommy back. The hundreds of people who did come showed what an enormous impact he made in his life, some could not make it and paid their respects in their own way. Whilst I am sure everyone contributing to this site has respect for Tom, I think the exchange is becoming a little undignified and I would respectfully request that friends, fans and comrades send tributes and stories (especially humourous ones, Tom's genius in humour was comparable to his genius in music!) rather than get into this pointless exchange.
God Bless you all,
Sue McKenna
ps. If anyone would like copies of photos displayed at the wake, please email me.

[DzM]

Thank you Sue.

Philip and Sue are correct. This thread should be used to remember Tom, not to bicker about who was or wasn't at the services.

This thread will remain open for those that wish to share their memories and stories. The bickering is being moved to another thread, and future snarky posts will be relocated to the other thread.

Thanks for understanding.

[Mick Molloy]

Well I never got to see Tom play because Shane cancelled the gig because he had to practise with some crappy band called the Pogues . But I will never forget the first time I saw the Montreux dvd adn was totally 'flabbergasted' by Tom playing that banjo like friggin' Jimi Hendrix. Then I realised I also wanted to learn the banjo but I'm not that good (not even 5% I guess)

[Funkfuzzi]

yeah...back to topic !


i remember meeting tom in cologne ! wild popes !





R.I.P.

[Sarah]

Hello,

Is there anyone out there that can help. I read that Tom died. Years ago I knew this guy Tom who was in a band with a guy called James. I was a friend of a girl called Ann-Marie Horgan who knew these guys. They gigged in Acton and NW London. Someone told me that Tom went on to join the Popes. Is this the Tom that died. Can anyone answer that? Also, if anyone out there knows Ann-Marie - that would be great.

Thanks.

[MacRua]

Is this the Tom that died

Yes, unfortunately

[Bud Byrne]

Thank you Sue.

Philip and Sue are correct. This thread should be used to remember Tom, not to bicker about who was or wasn't at the services.

This thread will remain open for those that wish to share their memories and stories. The bickering is being moved to another thread, and future snarky posts will be relocated to the other thread.

Thanks for understanding.

Well done Sue. Thw world is a poorer place without Tom.

Thanks for putting all that other crap in another thread DZM. It has no place here.

[Simon Maguire]

Well I never got to see Tom play because Shane cancelled the gig because he had to practise with some crappy band called the Pogues . But I will never forget the first time I saw the Montreux dvd adn was totally 'flabbergasted' by Tom playing that banjo like friggin' Jimi Hendrix. Then I realised I also wanted to learn the banjo but I'm not that good (not even 5% I guess)

Yeah he looked like he should been playing Banjo in Guns N' Roses.

Can't the other thread just get the boot. It realky isn't needed.

[nboldock]

Can't the other thread just get the boot. It really isn't needed.

I agree. Why not just junk the other shit. It really has no place anywhere except in the bin.

Anyway, not to rake over all that again, I saw someone mentioned the Montreux DVD - isn't the banjo that Tom plays on that recording, just the coolest looking instrument on the planet!!

[DzM]

Guys - Please. If you want to debate the merits of the other thread, do it there. Thanks.

[Simon Maguire]

Guys - Please. If you want to debate the merits of the other thread, do it there. Thanks.

Point taken. Sorry.

Was that the banjo Tommy was buried with? Cause it seems to be in every picture of him preforming.

[Brian in NY]

Never got to meet Tom's Dad, but his Mum kept a great bar (with help from aunty) in the Favorite back in the 80's.

After work, we (a bunch of budding London Irish eejits) would drink, play and sing along at the Favorite - and Tommy would laugh. If things were slow enough in the pub, Tom and James might ask me to get up and sing Nancy Spain or the Green Fields of France. But only if it was slow enough... Tom had the mandolin and banjo - Nally would play anything that he was holding (especially the tin tray) There was also a bloke with loads of spoons -- and plenty of additional variety joined in. I marvel at these early memories - made me a fan forever.

My friend e-mailed to tell me Tommy had passed away, and I haven't stopped thinking about Tom and "Somewhere over the Rainbow" since. He would "insert" that tune in the middle of their jigs & reels set - what creativity! He understood music and knew the right key mattered.

Wish I stayed in closer touch, but New York is a stop too far for the Tube.

Bless his memory, music, loved ones: there ain't no other.
Would love to hear from you guys - Brian

[dawsonn]

rip tommy

[MacKastberg]

... rest in peace, and say hello to Elvis, Jimmie and Buddy Holly and the rest of me ole' heroes from me... See you guy's later...