The Neck back-catalogue will stand as a testament to Leeson and his powerful words and voice.
Leeson O’Keefe of London-Irish Psycho-Ceildh rockers Neck, sadly passed away on Monday 15 April after a short but intense fight with cancer. As he’d maybe have said himself though, “chuaigh sé amach ag troid” - he went out fighting!
Leeson was formally diagnosed with Stage Four pancreatic cancer in January this year. By the time the test results came in it was clear that his days were numbered, but he decided to keep the bad news to a close circle of family and friends, and set his sights on performing as long as he had the breath in him to hold a tune.
After one last full-band gig at a Dorset pub in late February, it was fitting that his final show was on a stage in Trafalgar Square on St Patrick’s Day, where, confined to a wheelchair, he sang one last song alongside a choir of his fellow countrymen and women.
A unique brand of Pogues-meets-The Clash rebel music
Leeson leaves behind a son and a daughter, a long roll-call of current and former bandmates and musical collaborators, plus many tens of thousands of happy fans of his unique brand of Pogues-meets-The Clash rebel music. He toured extensively on stages around the world, including America, Europe, and even Russia.
Neck's whistle player, Sara-Louise Bowrey, who is the longest-serving member in the current line-up, has this to say:
“There’s a big Emerald light that’s gone out today, but a new green star somewhere up there in the sky. Leeson wasn’t just a great songwriter, singer, and guitarist… he was a fantastic friend to so many people, as well as being a champion for how friendship, fellowship, and equality should cross both political and religious boundaries. He called out bigotry and hatred whenever he witnessed it, and he remained brave in the face of a really aggressive cancer right up until the end.”
‘Every Day’s St Patrick’s Day’
The Neck back-catalogue will stand as a testament to Leeson and his powerful words and voice.
Whatever your poison, raise a glass of it to Leeson tonight and just remember, ‘Every Day’s St Patrick’s Day’, and although he was ‘Always Upsetting’ Somebody’, ‘Everybody’s Welcome to the Hooley!!’
Leeson was a member of the MU for more than 15 years, having originally began a membership in 2005.
This tribute has been provided by Leeson’s good friends and former band mates Sara-Louise Bowrey and Helen McGrath-Doherty.