County: Limerick

Decades Active: 1970s

About Joe O'Donnell

Born in Limerick, Joe O'Donnell began taking classical violin lessons at the age of twelve and won two scholarships for the Royal Irish Academy of Music to study orchestral work. When Joe left the Academy, he put aside the violin in favour of lead guitar but returned to the violin two years later.

During this time he played for various groups, including Granny's Intentions (a short stint as guitarist in 1966) who had a number one in Ireland.

Joe moved to London in 1971 joining The Woods Band for nine months which featured Terry and Gay Woods, founder members of Steeleye Span. It was at this time that Joe started making electric violins for his own use, including violectra and 8-string violins.In 1973 Joe joined East of Eden, during which time they recorded the album Another Eden.

Tired of playing in other people's bands, Joe approached Tubular Bells producer Tom Newman and Jon Field. Together they landed Joe a deal with Decca. Joe was given a free hand to make a concept album of his own compositions. Gaodhol's Vision, released in 1977, was heralded as a fusion of Celtic music with jazz and rock. Joe was joined on the album by Rory Gallagher, Steve Bolton, Theodor Thunder (Alan Price Band) and David Lennox (Ginger Baker, Blodwyn Pig, The Equals). The album was produced and engineered by Tom Newman and Jon Field. Gaodhol's Vision has since been used extensively for television.

Rory Gallagher's brother Donal was also his manager. When introduced to Joe by Rory, Donal also became Joe's manager. Donal secured Joe's release from Decca and into Polydor Records and the Quarry Management stable.

In the 1980s whilst living in Guernsey, Joe formed folk-rock bands and played at various festivals in Brittany and the Channel Islands. Upon moving back to England in the 1990s, he formed a new group "Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla" in Coventry. Joe continued to tour, write for television and do session work.