Ronnie boosted by star-studded charity ballad
MUSIC legend Ronnie Drew believes a new song written and recorded in his honour by U2 and other stars will help boost his spirits as he fights cancer.
A delegation including Bono, The Edge and co-writer Simon Carmody visited the ex-Dubliners singer at his Greystones home recently to play him 'The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew'.
And the star immediately gave it the thumbs-up, telling them to fire ahead and release it in order to try and raise funds for cancer charities.
"It's a great honour," he said. "It doesn't take itself too seriously and there's a great, positive vibe off it. And, for me, it's a great help because with the cancer you can begin to feel lonely when you're not out doing things."
Ronnie added: "My son rang me and said 'Is it okay if Bono and them come out tomorrow night with a song?' And he knew what it was about but he didn't want to tell me, y'know."
Other singers on the recording include Jack L, Sinead O'Connor, Kila, Christy Moore, Shane McGowan, Andrea Corr, Bob Geldof, Ronan Keating, Mary Coughlan, Glen Hansard of The Frames, Moya Brennan and Damien Dempsey.
Ronnie is currently recuperating at home after his latest bout of treatment for throat cancer in St Vincent's Hospital.
'The Ballad of Ronnie Drew' is due to be released in March.
Proceeds from the sale of the record will be donated to a cancer charity.
- RICHIE TAYLOR
