Legendary Newry singer Peadar did it his way

​He had everything, including a soaring, powerful voice. He was also blessed with style, had a magnetic stage presence, charm, and an affinity with his audience. And he could sing any type of song … country, pop, jazz, blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and of course ballads.

Peadar was loved everywhere. But he was especially popular with Newry audiences.

Sadly the great man passed away, aged 87, on Friday, February 23, surrounded by his sons, Derek, Colin and Stephen and daughters Linda and Kathy.

His funeral service at the Dominican Chapel on Monday, February 26 was a fitting send off. The Newry Community Choir, fronted by the teenage Emily Flanagan and the tuneful Leon Scott, along with a punchy brass section, performed songs, often sung by Peadar himself.

When Emily and Leon performed ‘I did it My Way,’ there was scarcely a dry eye in the congregation.

Father Connor said Peader was “a show-man, without being a show-off” and “it was hard to separate, the man, the myth and the legend.”

While his son-in-law Gerard Mackey said his father-in-law was “a singer, an entertainer and a legend.”

Gerard also said: “Frank Sinatra Did it My Way but Peadar Did it His Way.”

Peadar was reared in Thomas Street in the heart of the town with brother Mickey and sisters Bridget, Lily (RIP) and Eileen (RIP).

And as Gerard also told the congregation, Peadar began seeing his late wife Kathleen when he was just 14-years-old and they married at 19.

His youngest daughter Kathy confessed that she never knew just how much her father meant to the people of Newry. But she did say: “He always had a good word to say about everybody. He respected everyone. I’m blessed to be his daughter. I have great memories of him. His family was his life and he always put us first.”

Peadar began his singing career with the SoundTracks Showband. Some of the other bands he played with were The Epic Showband, The Hilton Showband and Southern Comfort.

When he played with the Hilton, the Newry band had the best singing strength in the nation, as, along with Peadar, there was stunning Patricia Grattan and the velvet-voiced Ricky McVeigh.

It was worth the admission money alone to hear Peadar and Patricia belt out River Deep, Mountain High. Ike and Tina Turner had a hit with the song but the original number was not a patch on the Hilton’s version of it.

Patricia has been living in Michigan in the USA for quite a few years and after hearing of his death Patricia posted up on Facebook: “The awesome Peadar Cowan, who passed yesterday, left behind tons of memories. He was a natural who not only commanded the stage, he owned it and held the audience in the palm of his hand. I cried a lot since yesterday as Peader’s passing broke the dam of memories of a brilliant time. My heart is filled with Newry today.”

Another female singer who worked with Peadar in the Hilton was Madge Bagnall (stage name Deirdre). Madge said: “It was an honour and privilege to work with Peadar. He was a great showman and great craic.”

Meanwhile I recall in the seventies Peadar and his band Southern Comfort playing The Talk of the Town in St Mary Street every Monday evening.

And the highlight of the night was Peadar, along with Mickey (his younger brother), Mickey Loughran, Gerry Carr and Pat Waller singing With a Little Help from My Friends.

It was absolutely sensational and towards the end of the song the great man began pointing to people in the audience and chanting out in his inimitable husky voice: “You’re my friend, You’re my friend, You’re my friend.” They were all his friends.

It was magical stuff. Amazing nights, an amazing atmosphere, amazing musicians and one amazing singer.

Peadar recorded Land of Sea and Sun, When the Snow is on the Roses, Lonely Street at Midnight and Doesn’t Anybody Know my Name, but his personal favourite was the earthy Tom Jones’ number I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.

The stories of the man are legendary and everyone will have their personal favourite. Here are just a couple.

Peadar was often favourably compared to Tom Jones. In fact in Ballymena’s Flamingo when the Hilton played on the same bill as the Welshman, he got to meet his singing idol. At that gig Tom Jones’ manager Gordon Mills actually called the pair together and said: “You two are going to have to sort out who’s going to sing what!” Magnanimously the Newry man said to the Jones boy: “You sing what you like ... but please, don’t do any of my big hits!”

Another story: at The Castle, Banbridge, the Hilton shared the bill with the famous Englebert Humperdinck who insisted, as part of his contract, that a bottle of Five Star Brandy be left in his dressing room. This was done, but when Englebert finished his act and went looking for his cognac it had mysteriously disappeared. No one knew where it went but the finger of suspicion pointed at a dark-haired Newry singer.

Meanwhile Peadar Cowan will be remembered, not only for his astonishing voice … but for his kind, caring and respectful personality.

Rest in Peace Peadar … you did Newry proud.