Liam O'Connor is a multi-instrumentalist musician, once referred to as "the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion".RTE Radio 1 Bio
Early life
Liam O'Connor was born in Newmarket, County Cork, Ireland, to a musical family. At the age of 10 he joined his family's band, The O'Connor Family. The band was composed of O'Connor, his three brothers and his three sisters. They travelled the country playing with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. He now lives in Killarney, County Kerry.
Music career
O'Connor signed a contract with MCA Universal Music in 1993 and released his debut album The Awakening with vocalist Lisa Aherne. The album was nominated for an IRMA award and caught the attention of Michael Flatley and Lord of the Dance. O'Connor toured with Lord of the Dance for two and a half years.Lord of the Dance Cast
He is the only Irish musician to be asked to perform at the Ryder Cup twice and performed at the All-Ireland Football and Hurling Finals in Ireland's National Stadium Croke Pairc seven times.O’Connor Performs at Football and Hurling Finals
In 2006, O'Connor recorded the official anthem for the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) "Morning Dew"GAA Anthem with GAA broadcasting legend Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh and topped the Irish charts for six weeks.
O'Connor was listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 2008 as having the fastest fingers in the world on the cccordion.Guinness Book of Records He has appeared on numerous television programs including Gay Byrnes The Late Late Show, Kenny Live, RTÉ's Live at 3, Open House, Michael Aspels This Is Your Life, Seoige and O'Shea, Vodafone Allstars, Michael Flatley's tribute on The Late Late Show, Christie Hennessy's TV documentary, RTÉ News,RTE Appearance Pat Kenny's Late Late Show,Late Late Show Appearance and Ryan Tubridy's Late Late Show.
In 2010, O'Connor released the album Tico Mystico, produced by John Themis.
O'Connor frequently performs at the Killarney Avenue Hotel from May to October in Killarney as the Liam O'Connor Show.The Liam O’Connor Show
O'Connor also frequently collaborates with local secondary school St. Brendan's College, Killarney.
Personal life O'Connor has 3 children.
Discography AlbumPerformersDate The Awakening Liam O'Connor and Lisa Aherne 1996 Live at City West Hotel Liam O'Connor and Lisa Aherne 2001 Reel Spirit Liam O'Connor and Lisa Aherne 2003 The Morning Dew Liam O'Connor 2006Tico Mystico Liam O'Connor 2010Live at Ronnie Scott'sLiam O'Connor2013
Credits AlbumPerformersRoleDate Lord of the Dance Original Cast Accordion 1997 Feet of Flames Lord of the Dance Cast Accordion 1999 The Two of Us Christie Hennessy Accordion 2008 The Day of My Return Mike Denver Accordion 2009
Recognition AwardDate 1st Ambassador of Killarney, Ireland 2010 IRMA Nomination 1996 Beamish & Crawford Award Guinness World Record- Fastest Fingers 2008
References
External links
Official website