About Jimi Slevin
In the mid-seventies Jimi Slevin emerged as a leading live act and became the most popular guitarist in Ireland. After starting the 70s in various bands such as Crossroads and Alice and making waves with the rock band Peggy's Leg, he briefly joined Skid Row before forming the Jimi Slevin Band in 1975, which quickly became a top live act.
In 1976 Phil Lynott considered Slevin for Thin Lizzy and invited him to try out with the band after Brian Robertson was injured in a brawl forcing the cancellation of a US tour but Robertson was back in with the band the following year so nothing came of the try out.
Slevin renamed his group Firefly and released the album Getting There with EMI in 1978. This collection showcased his guitar prowess, particularly in standout tracks like "Magic Lands" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice."
Seeking to explore his artistic vision, Slevin spent years crafting his first solo project, which culminated in the release of Freeflight (Ceirnini Cladaigh) in 1982. This masterwork features Slevin on electric and acoustic guitars, including a twelve-string, as well as mandolin, tin whistle, and percussion, accompanied by Trevor Knight on keyboards.The album, recorded in Slane Studios, blends classical guitar introductions with uilleann pipe melodies, infusing Celtic heritage into his music.
Jimi Slevin also worked as producer having founded his own Riteroad Music label and recording studio. He has also composed for TV & radio.
An interesting side-note is that Pat McManus ended up buying Jimi Slevin's Gibson flying-V guitar in the early 80s and using it with Mama's Boys. He had been an admirer of Jimi Slevin's guitar playing and of the flying-V itself and had gone to see him play many times, so he recognised the guitar when he saw it in the window of a guitar shop in Dublin. He gathered up what money he could get his hands on there and then, and put a down payment on it to hold it for him until he could borrow the full price of around 300 quid to claim the instrument
Video
Jimi Slevin & Firefly - Zodiac
Comments
Desmond Kennedy wrote on 2021-04-04 00:00:00:I only got a chance to hear the great brilliant awesome jimmy slevin and band in Donegal town one night and god it must be over 40 years ago What an amazing guitarist he was. I wonder where he is now
John Evans wrote on 2020-10-19 00:00:00:
I saw Jimi playing with crossroads in 1969 (I think) at Stradbrook dancehall , BlackRock, he was playing a Gibson gold top Les Paul.Did an incredible cover of Cream's Crossroads on the night.Best version I ever heard.
Günter Hetzner wrote on 2020-08-04 00:00:00:
Hallo Jimi, hab lange nichts mehr von Dir gehört, melde Dich mal, dann könnten wir mal wieder ein Bier trinken. seppi@ghetzner.de Viele Grüsse Günter
Günter Wermke wrote on 2020-02-13 00:00:00:
Ich traf Jimmi in Nürnberg im Jahr 1991. Seit dem spielte er viele Male bei mir zuhause oder auf Koncerten die ich für ihn arrangierte. Er ist ein super Gittarist und Freund.
Richard Benson wrote on 2017-07-28 00:00:00:
I saw Jimi Slevin in 1984 in San Antonio, Ibiza playing in a bar. He had a fantastic voice and I remember him doing a great cover of "Hey Jude". Really nice guy.
Bernard Tonge wrote on 2017-06-05 00:00:00:
I was in Moran's Hotel for the 3rd Birthday Party, The Undertones were also on the bill, they had to leave the stage in a hurry.
Mossie Corcoran wrote on 2017-01-25 00:00:00:
Met the wonderful Jimmi when walking by a bar in Erlangen Germany and hearing his magical guitar chords mid 90s many pints drunk together after
Brendan Howley wrote on 2016-05-10 00:00:00:
I first met Jimi in 1966 (50 years ago). I am trying to contact him for a get together of a few friends to mark the anniversary. Can you please pass on this message to him and my e-mail: - brendanhowley@eircom.net, Phone: - 353 86 809 2415. Thanks.
Brendan Browne wrote on 2015-09-13 00:00:00:
I remember Jimmy playing to twenty or so guys in Fran Breens sitting room before he was discovered.What a guitarist.
myles hollowed wrote on 2015-05-02 00:00:00:
I remember fondly a genius guitarist. I saw him play with phil lynott in his front garden in finglas. He was always such a nice guy. His fretboard speed was unequalled.
dessands1@gmail.com wrote on 2013-02-11 00:00:00:
Hi,My name is Des Sands and would like to email Jimi,I recently heard of the passing Jimmy Gibson who thought me a lot of good guitar playing,I was the guy who introduced jimmy to jimi slevin who then formed peggys leg.Looking for jimis email.
Craig Larue wrote on 2012-01-04 00:00:00:
today i visited his page and saw he had put a poem called anam cara to his music. the book. anam cara in gaelic means soul friend. the book of poetry was written by john odonohue. and he gave no credit to john
mick dempsey wrote on 2011-07-08 00:00:00:
slevin was always a musician of the highest decree. he did it his way or no way, always new how to entertain whether you liked or didnt. the production of getting there album didnt help. never could the spiders sleep when he rocked morans in the seventies
paddy king wrote on 2010-08-05 00:00:00:
Jimi did a tour and EP called "Falling Asunder" which also featured The Whitefalls Band.....Whatever happened to THEM??!! Saw them in The Cellar (Galway) circa 1977...
Derek Holmes wrote on 2010-02-02 00:00:00:
also remember the band playing Morans around late 70s,Boomtown Rats before they hit the big time,and also american band called Clover whose number included a guy called Huey Lewis! Ah the memories!
Martin Fitzpatrick wrote on 2009-09-06 00:00:00:
Iremember hearing jimmy slevin play in morans hotel in tolbot st. I felt then that he was an exceptional guitarist. Etched in my memory
Sean Kearney wrote on 2006-08-19 00:00:00:
Jimi Is a Great Guitarist Played a Flying V Guitar Seen Him In the Old Baggot inn in the late 70's a Magic Guitarist
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