He formed several groups with musicians in duets and trios, and in 1962 formed the band that would become The Chieftains Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy.
The Chieftains went on to become one of the best-known Irish traditional groups in the world, winning six Grammys as well as many other awards.
Mr Moloney and The Chieftains worked with a vast range of artists over their long career, making guest appearances with and contributing to albums by Ry Cooder, Marianne Faithful, Mick Jagger, Elvis Costello, and Sinead O’Connor. In 1987 they recorded the acclaimed 1987 album Irish Heartbeat album with Van Morrison.
Paddy Moloney, The Chieftains founder, dies aged 83
Keening out a special Kaddish like a proper banshee for Paddy Moloney, who has left us. I can’t number the times a Chieftains tune or performance made this boy from County Minsk feel perfectly Irish.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) October 12, 2021
Here’s an interview with NPR:
The Chieftains: For 50 Years, Irish Music For The World
MONTAGNE: Talking about roots, what were you thinking when you collaborated with some of Nashville’s top artists: Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs?
MALONEY: Yeah. For us and for me to go to Nashville was almost going to another part of Ireland and meeting up with all your country cousins and just go for it. Because you didn’t have to duck and dash with these people, they knew the music. And if you played it once or twice, naturally they’d just pick it up and play it.