Dave, pictured second from right, had been a member of Welsh folk band Ar Log since they first began performing in the 1970s. Image credit: Celf Calon.
A benefit night was recently held in Cardiff in memory of Welsh folk musician David Burns, who passed away in late 2023. In accordance with Dave’s wishes, the benefit was to raise funds for Help Musicians UK, who supported him both financially and emotionally for over eight years during his chemotherapy treatment cycles and bone marrow transplant, whilst being treated for Multiple Myeloma.
Dave was a member of the MU, and a Committee member who represented us on the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Dave’s career and activism
Dave was a Welsh folk musician and activist, supporting in particular Anti Apartheid and the miners through the Miners strike, raising money through weekly folk nights and concerts. He was a member of two well-known folk groups, The Henesseys and the Welsh Group, Ar Log.
Ar Log are a well-established folk band in Wales, who have performed since the 1970s and perform both instrumental music and songs in Welsh. Their name in Welsh means ‘For Hire’.
The original 1976 members were Dave Burns (guitar), Dafydd Roberts (triple harp, flute), Gwyndaf Roberts (knee harp) and Iolo Jones (fiddle). The four individuals were brought together by the Welsh Committee of the Lorient Festival, who were eager that a Welsh traditional group should represent the nation at that year's Interceltic festival.
In the 1980s Ar Log had become particularly associated with Dafydd Iwan, a long-standing figure in the Welsh national movement. In 1982 and 1983, Ar Log embarked on two tours with Iwan. Ar Log have taken Welsh music to over twenty countries on three continents and were the first professional Welsh traditional folk group. They are still gigging as a six piece.
Memorial benefit evening
Both AR Log and Dave’s musical partner of over 50 years, Frank Henessey, performed at the Benefit along with Dafydd Iwan, Côr Cochian, and the Milkshakes.
The evening was compèred by Roy Noble from BBC Wales, and the cheque for around £6,000 was presented by Mark Drakeford, former Wales First Minister.