Biography
Bernard Noël "Banjo Barney" McKenna (December 16, 1939 - April 5, 2012) was an Irish musician and a founding member of "The Dubliners".Born in Donnycarney, Dublin, he started playing the banjo at an early age, at first because he could not afford to buy the instrument of his choice, a mandolin. He then became well known as a banjo player. was one of the founding members of The Dubliners since 1962 and was the only living member of the original band until his death. Prior to joining the Dubliners, he spent a few months with the other major Irish traditional music band, The Chieftains. In addition to his work on traditional Irish music, he also played periodic jazz.
Burney was much loved by the audience with whom he interacted immensely, some of the loudest and most loving applause followed the melodies and songs he sang. Barney's tendency to tell funny, and often unbelievable, stories was legendary among fans and friends, to the point that one of his collaborators published an entire book entitled "An Obstacle Confusion: The Wonderful World of Barney McKenna." Among other things, he was an avid fisherman, he recorded with "The Dubliners many nautical ballads.
He died unexpectedly on the morning of April 5, 2012 after collapsing in the kitchen of his home in Dublin. That year they had planned a big anniversary tour for the band's 50 years.