CLAIRE'S SONG FOR OMAGH
EXCLUSIVE: CLAIRE'S SONG FOR OMAGH
By Suzanne Rodgers
A TEENAGER blinded in the Omagh bomb is to release a record in aid of the tragedy - probably John Lennon's poignant Imagine.
Claire Gallagher (16) is to record a song with Ray Lewis, lead singer with the American Drifters.
The teenager is an accomplished pianist and is currently in Washington where she played for President Bill Clinton, with Phil Coulter on St Patrick's Day.
She met Ray Lewis and the American Drifters - which includes members of the original chart-topping Drifters - through an uncle who is the singer's doctor.
They plan to release a single in aid of the Omagh Fund and Claire has suggested Imagine as being particularly appropriate.
Mr Lewis, who previously made a name for himself playing a detective in the police series Cagney and Lacey, said he got involved because he wanted to do something to help the people of Omagh.
"I'm just looking for- ward to playing with this wonderful girl and hopefully we will have a lot of fun with the project," he said.
"I feel like I have always had a connection to Ireland, even before I first came here. This is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world and this is an opportunity to give something back."
Details of the recording are yet to be finalised but it is likely the single will be available before the first anniversary of the bomb on August 15.
Claire and her family are not due back from America until next week.
By Suzanne Rodgers
A TEENAGER blinded in the Omagh bomb is to release a record in aid of the tragedy - probably John Lennon's poignant Imagine.
Claire Gallagher (16) is to record a song with Ray Lewis, lead singer with the American Drifters.
The teenager is an accomplished pianist and is currently in Washington where she played for President Bill Clinton, with Phil Coulter on St Patrick's Day.
She met Ray Lewis and the American Drifters - which includes members of the original chart-topping Drifters - through an uncle who is the singer's doctor.
They plan to release a single in aid of the Omagh Fund and Claire has suggested Imagine as being particularly appropriate.
Mr Lewis, who previously made a name for himself playing a detective in the police series Cagney and Lacey, said he got involved because he wanted to do something to help the people of Omagh.
"I'm just looking for- ward to playing with this wonderful girl and hopefully we will have a lot of fun with the project," he said.
"I feel like I have always had a connection to Ireland, even before I first came here. This is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world and this is an opportunity to give something back."
Details of the recording are yet to be finalised but it is likely the single will be available before the first anniversary of the bomb on August 15.
Claire and her family are not due back from America until next week.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0572
Published Date: 19-Mar-99
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