Christy Dignam, the lead singer of the Irish rock band Aslan, went dead after a lengthy illness. His daughter Kiera announced his passing to the family via a Facebook message.
She asserted that the family gave the news “with a broken heart.”
“Today, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 4 p.m., Dad softly left us where he wanted to, at home, surrounded by his family, after a very difficult battle.
“We beg that you respect our family’s desire for privacy during this extremely trying time,” the message said.
Let’s all honor the exceptional life of a talented vocalist, accomplished storyteller, and unique individual. Let’s keep him close to our hearts.
According to Irish President Michael D. Higgins, Aslan’s Mr. Dignam and his bandmates created a “remarkable connection” with their listeners.
“Christy was central to that connection, with his passionate performances ensuring a memorable night every time Aslan played,” the man said.
Mr. Higgins claims that practically everyone in Ireland “will feel like they had a personal connection with Christy” and “will have their own memories.”
Christy Dignam referred to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin as “a true legend of Irish music” in a tweet.
“Many were inspired by his brave and honorable battle with cancer,” he said.
Christy Dignam was born in Dublin in May 1960, and she grew up in the Finglas area in the city’s north.
His first band, Meelah XVIII, was where he began his musical career in 1980. He is best known as the main singer of the Irish rock band Aslan.
Narnia connection
He created Aslan in 1982 along with Joe Jewell, Billy McGuinness, and Alan Downey. The band’s name was motivated by the lion in CS Lewis’s Narnia book series.
Six studio albums were afterward released by them, the most recent of which was in 2012. Some of their biggest songs included This Is, Crazy World, Where’s the Sun and Shine a Light.
After what was intended to be a sole charity concert in Finglas, the band split up in 1988 and then reformed in 1993.
Mr. Dignam said in a 2022 interview with the Irish broadcaster RTÉ:
“I’ve always wanted to sing. Just always wanted to do that.
“At the age of 13 or 14, I remember learning that just because I wanted to be a singer didn’t mean I would actually end up being one. I have to take care of it.”A little Lazarus”
He overcame several challenges during his life, such as drug addiction, sexual abuse as a youngster, and incapacitating depression spells.
When Christy Dignan was initially told that he had amyloidosis in 2013, it was suggested that he might only have a few months to live.
The condition causes an aberrant protein to build in the body, which leads to organ failure.
In an interview with the Irish Mirror, he expressed surprise at turning 50 in 2014.
He said:
“I was in an aircraft crash a couple of years ago, I battled drug addiction, and now this cancer issue, so it’s sort of a Lazarus thing.
I still have six life remaining after those three were lost.
After learning of the illness, he said that the only thing that mattered to him was spending some additional time with his family.
“I have grandchildren now, and I wanted to see their Communions and Confirmations – those little things that you want to be here for,” he said.
During his summer tour in the Republic of Ireland, Aslan was slated to perform at the Millennium Forum in Londonderry on July 15.
On the other hand, the other Aslan members declared on their social media pages that they were “devastated that all future shows will be canceled” due to Mr. Dignam’s failing health.
Christy Dignan is survived by his daughter Kiera, a singer, his son Cian, his grandson Jake, and his granddaughter Ava in addition to his wife Kathryn.
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