DRIFTER RAY TO RECORD SONG WITH OMAGH GIRL
Drifter Ray to record song with Omagh girl
By Seamus McKinney
RAY Lewis, lead singer with the world famous Drifters is to record a song with Claire Gallagher, who was blinded in the Omagh bomb.
The 16-year-old, an accomplished pianist who lost her sight in last August's atrocity, met Lewis at the Holyrood hotel in Bundoran last week.
She played at the White House in Washington for President Bill Clinton on St Patrick's night, and before jetting out to the US, she was introduced, through her uncle, to the American Drifters' lead singer in Co Donegal.
Lewis was so inspired by the courage shown by the Omagh teenager that he agreed to record a song, possibly John Lennon's Imagine, along with her in aid of the Omagh bomb fund.
Previously an actor who appeared in the popular Cagney and Lacey television detective show, Lewis said he was looking forward to playing with Claire.
Explaining his love for Ireland, he said: "This is one of my favourite places in the whole world and this is an opportunity to give something back.
"When the Drifters started playing here many years ago, we were amazed at the difference in the basic response between here and your neighbours in England. "I mean England is very close to you but the difference was like day and night. We've had some fun here and made some friends over the years," he said.
By Seamus McKinney
RAY Lewis, lead singer with the world famous Drifters is to record a song with Claire Gallagher, who was blinded in the Omagh bomb.
The 16-year-old, an accomplished pianist who lost her sight in last August's atrocity, met Lewis at the Holyrood hotel in Bundoran last week.
She played at the White House in Washington for President Bill Clinton on St Patrick's night, and before jetting out to the US, she was introduced, through her uncle, to the American Drifters' lead singer in Co Donegal.
Lewis was so inspired by the courage shown by the Omagh teenager that he agreed to record a song, possibly John Lennon's Imagine, along with her in aid of the Omagh bomb fund.
Previously an actor who appeared in the popular Cagney and Lacey television detective show, Lewis said he was looking forward to playing with Claire.
Explaining his love for Ireland, he said: "This is one of my favourite places in the whole world and this is an opportunity to give something back.
"When the Drifters started playing here many years ago, we were amazed at the difference in the basic response between here and your neighbours in England. "I mean England is very close to you but the difference was like day and night. We've had some fun here and made some friends over the years," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0274
Published Date: 20-Mar-99
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