JULY/AUGUST 2001
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 5
Sad Farewell to Carroll O'Connor
CARROLL O'CONNOR
LOS ANGELES - Over 1,000 people gathered at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in west Los Angeles to attend the funeral of award-winning actor Carroll O'Connor, who died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 76 on June 21.
O'Connor is best remembered for his role as Archie Bunker on the the hugely popular television show All in the Family. A pigheaded Neanderthal, Archie was welcomed each week into 50 million American homes of every colour and belief system during most of the Seventies, despite his bigotry and political incorrectness.
Among the mourners were comedian and director Carl Reiner and his son Rob Reiner, a successful film director who used to play the role of Meathead, Archie's son-in-law in the sitcom. Actress Sally Struthers, who played Bunker's daughter Gloria on All in the Family, was also present, along with Don Rickles, Larry Hagman and Martin Sheen.
Reverend Harold "Bud" Powers, a friend of the family, said the ac-
tor used his role on All in the Family to fight injustice. "He didn't expect the show to succeed, and it could possibly have hurt his career," Powers said. "People didn't understand why he'd want to play Archie Bunker, but he saw the role as a way to attack bigotry."
While O'Connor is most closely identified for his role as Archie, it was a credit to his acting skills, for his was no Bunker mentality. He lived the kind of rich momentous life that Archie could never have imagined.
Growing up in an Irish family during the Depression in New York, he made his way armed with a quick wit, a mischievous mind, and engaging charm. From his rough-and-tumble days in the Merchant Marine during the Second World War, he moved on to study in Dublin where he received an education in literature and life. It was here that he found his true calling in the theatre and married his wife of 50-years, Nancy.
While he found career success in Hollywood, it was also the source of O'Connor's most painful memory - the cocaine addiction and suicide of his son, Hugh. "I can tell you Carroll never looked the same after his son died," said Rob Reiner.
In his grief and rage, he helped get the man he blamed for his son's downfall convicted in 1996 of possessing and furnishing cocaine. But his wrongful death suit against the man was dismissed a year later. His bitterness never faded and he remained heavily committed to drug prevention and treatment.
During the funeral mass, tears were abundant during a violin solo of Danny Boy, and later, as O'Connor's pine casket was carried out, the mourners rose in unison to give him one final standing ovation.
LIVE AID II SET FOR OCTOBER
CARDIFF, Wales - A huge musical event to raise money for AIDS sufferers is being planned for October. Madonna, Robbie Williams, George Michael and S Club 7 have all been approached to play at the concert at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium - although none have yet been confirmed.
The event is being organised by BBC Wales in conjuncUon with the Red Hot Aids charity and former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure. The stars will perform songs from stage and screen musicals,
backed by a full orchestra, according to The Sun newspaper.
The event, expected to take place on October 20, will raise money for the Red Hot Aids Charitable Trust, a spokesman for the event told BBC News. A spokesperson for the stadium said, "There is a
musical extravaganza pencilled in for that date."
Midge Ure helped organise Live Aid with Bob Geldof in 1985, which is said to have raised more than 0100 million for victims of famine in Africa.
That event took place simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, USA.
The plight of AIDS sufferers has recently been in the news, with ChrisUan Aid week highlighting the plight of more than 25 million people infected with HD7 in Africa.
CELTIC FESTIVAL BRINGS TOURISM TO CAPE BRETON
SYDNEY, N.S. - An event that has brought international attention to Cape Breton has become the latest tourism institution to capture high-profile acclaim. Cape Breton's Celtic Colours International Festival has recently been named the premiere cultural event in the country by Attractions Canada. This year, Celtic Colours topped a field of 98 attractions from across the nation.
Attractions Canada is the only national information program committed solely to expanding Canadians' knowledge of the many attractions of cuUural or educational value the country has to offer: museums, interpretation centers, historical sites, natural parks, festivals, arts and sports events and so forth.
"We were extremely pleased with the news of this latest distinction," says Wayne Macintosh, Chair of the Celtic Colours board. "In a country as large and as culturally diverse as Canada, to have our festival recognized as top cultural event is truly an honour."
The island-wide music festival made its debut in 1997 and since then has developed a truly international following. Each year, thousands of spectators descend on Cape Breton to enjoy the performances of more than 200 Celtic entertainers from around the world,
The Celtic Colours recognition follows a 1999 reader's poll conducted by Conde Nasi Traveler magazine which ranked Cape Breton's scenery number one in the world, surpassing many other exotic destinations such as the Hawaiian Islands and Bermuda. Cape Breton also ranked as the second friendliest people in the world.
Celtic Colours International Festival takes place from October 5 -13, 2001 Tickets go on sale on July 16 and can be purchased by calling 1-888-355-7744 or (902) 564-6668. Visit the Celtic Colours web site, www.celtic-colours.com for the latest festival information.
IT'S A
PROCLAIMERS'
SUMMER
PERSEVERE'
PROCLAnvmRS
Hit the Highway
Sunshine on Lieth
This is the Story
Available in stores now
SEE THEM LIVE
Friday, July 27th - Victoria @ The Royal Theatre
Saturday, July 28th - Vancouver @ The Commodore Ballroom
Monday, July 30th - Kelowna @ Kelowna Community Theatre
Wednesday, August 1st - Edmonton @ Red's
Thursday, August 2nd - Calgary @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Friday, August 3rd - Saskatoon @ The Odeon Night Club
Saturday, August 4th - Winnipeg @ Walker Theatre
UPCLOSE AND PERSONAL
The Proclaimers (Craig & Charlie Reid) will be making appearances at each of the following locations on Wednesday July 25th to play short, 3 song acoustic sets to get warmed up for the beginning of their North American tour
Seymours - North Van The Silvertone Tavern • Commercial Drive Bi mini's Tap House - West 4th Ave ^ ^b Granville Island
PJT^ISOX The Railway Club - Downtown
(S> www.nettwerk.com
www.proclaimers.co.ul