LATE LATE SHOW MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO BOMB VICTIMS
Late Late Show musical tribute to bomb victims
ULSTER artists Brian Kennedy and Phil Coulter may again join forces tomorrow night to perform a song that brought tears to the eyes of a 10,000-strong crowd last month.
Belfast singer Kennedy and Londonderry pianist-composer Coulter emotionally moved soccer fans packed into Brandywell Stadium in the Maiden City when they performed the soccer anthem You'll Never Walk Alone for the victims and relatives of those who died and were injured in the August 15 bombing atrocity in Omagh.
Survivors of the Real IRA slaughter, as well as rescue and medical teams who were on duty that day, choked back tears as Kennedy and Coulter performed the emotion-charged song before a celebrity soccer game, in which French heart-throb footballer David Ginola took part to raise money for the Omagh Fund.
Yesterday, local showbiz insiders strongly hinted that a repeat of the Kennedy-Coulter double act performance could be on the cards when RTE's Late Late Show will present a special programme on the Omagh disaster tomorrow night.
It will be the first mainstream TV programme to throw a major live spotlight on the tragic events in the bomb-blitzed Tyrone town since the screening of a controversial networked Carlton TV programme, which attracted a deluge of complaints from irate viewers.
At one stage, relatives of the dead who had agreed to appear on it had seriously considered walking out.
RTE researchers were in the west of Province yesterday finalising preparations for the Gay Byrne-hosted special programme.
RTE traditionally keeps the guest list for the Late Late Show a closely guarded secret until it is actually on the air, but it is understood that among those taking part will be the Corrs. U2 and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
Teen idols Boyzone have sent apologies that they will be unable to appear on the Omagh tribute show because they are in the Caribbean for a prior-arranged gig.
Political figures invited to appear include Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam and SDLP leader John Hume.
The 200-strong audience will include Omagh and Buncrana survivors of the no-warning bombing and the emergency services who were on duty when terrorists claimed 29 lives and maimed and injured over 300 other victims.
Show host Gay Byrne, who is retiring from what is the world's longest-running chat show at the end of its current run, has a reputation for his sensitive handling of delicate topics.
It is expected to be the most watched Late Late Show since Byrne interviewed the lover of Galway Bishop Eamonn Casey and their son.
ULSTER artists Brian Kennedy and Phil Coulter may again join forces tomorrow night to perform a song that brought tears to the eyes of a 10,000-strong crowd last month.
Belfast singer Kennedy and Londonderry pianist-composer Coulter emotionally moved soccer fans packed into Brandywell Stadium in the Maiden City when they performed the soccer anthem You'll Never Walk Alone for the victims and relatives of those who died and were injured in the August 15 bombing atrocity in Omagh.
Survivors of the Real IRA slaughter, as well as rescue and medical teams who were on duty that day, choked back tears as Kennedy and Coulter performed the emotion-charged song before a celebrity soccer game, in which French heart-throb footballer David Ginola took part to raise money for the Omagh Fund.
Yesterday, local showbiz insiders strongly hinted that a repeat of the Kennedy-Coulter double act performance could be on the cards when RTE's Late Late Show will present a special programme on the Omagh disaster tomorrow night.
It will be the first mainstream TV programme to throw a major live spotlight on the tragic events in the bomb-blitzed Tyrone town since the screening of a controversial networked Carlton TV programme, which attracted a deluge of complaints from irate viewers.
At one stage, relatives of the dead who had agreed to appear on it had seriously considered walking out.
RTE researchers were in the west of Province yesterday finalising preparations for the Gay Byrne-hosted special programme.
RTE traditionally keeps the guest list for the Late Late Show a closely guarded secret until it is actually on the air, but it is understood that among those taking part will be the Corrs. U2 and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
Teen idols Boyzone have sent apologies that they will be unable to appear on the Omagh tribute show because they are in the Caribbean for a prior-arranged gig.
Political figures invited to appear include Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam and SDLP leader John Hume.
The 200-strong audience will include Omagh and Buncrana survivors of the no-warning bombing and the emergency services who were on duty when terrorists claimed 29 lives and maimed and injured over 300 other victims.
Show host Gay Byrne, who is retiring from what is the world's longest-running chat show at the end of its current run, has a reputation for his sensitive handling of delicate topics.
It is expected to be the most watched Late Late Show since Byrne interviewed the lover of Galway Bishop Eamonn Casey and their son.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/374
Published Date: 19-Nov-98
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