Siobhan Maher Kennedy

 

Born: Siobhan Maher
January 11, 1964
Birthplace: Liverpool, UK

“Permanent resident alien, not yet genetically modified!”

~ Siobhan Maher-Kennedy

Like a Butterfly
By Michael Holloway

An English rose who blooms bright on the musical horizon, Siobhan Maher-Kennedy may disappear from sight for lengthy periods of time, but her beauty and talent never fade. Instead she hibernates, then blossoms again, more vibrant than ever, and flutters away like an elusive butterfly.

Such is the mercurial nature of this sublime artist whose fans wish she would return for good. Still, wherever she flits, we can be assured that she will add colour and richness to whatever project she pursues.

Background

Maher (who later became Maher-Kennedy when she married producer Ray Kennedy) started her career with a number of children’s television shows in the mid-1980’s. Before she became better known for her magnificent singing voice. Another quality is her wit, which she amply showcased in programs like “But First This.” She played a character named Phidelma Gusset. A comic fashion expert who would pop-up on occasion to give her thoughts about the latest and craziest fashions. Much like Patricia Routledge’s zany Hyacinth Bucket (forever lamenting that “it’s pronounced bouquet”) in “Keeping Up Appearances,” Phidelma’s surname was pronounced with a silent “t”.

Photographs of Maher-Kennedy as Phidelma. Note the bizarre Dolly Parton wig, the fluorescent clothes typical of the 80’s, and the slightly dotty expression.

About the Nose

It was during this time that Maher-Kennedy had an issue with her nose, she was convinced that everyone thought she had huge nostrils. She often wore big hats to take people’s attention away from that feature.

Soon, she would have a far better way of masking any self-perceived flaws. It was goodbye big hats, and hello to one of the most scintillating and hauntingly beautiful voices ever recorded.

David Snell and The Speed Bros

During her television career, Maher-Kennedy worked with bass guitarist David Snell (whom she was briefly married to) in bands like The Persuaders and Peep Show. Though the marriage was not to last, they remained friends and teamed with Tim and Paul Speed, a guitarist and drummer respectively, to form a new band, The River City People. At first, the band members were struggling to make ends meet and they did not even have the equipment they needed for auditions and live performances.

The Bangles Angel

While in a restaurant in Liverpool, Maher-Kennedy, David Snell, and the Speed brothers were discussing their crisis. It just so happened, The Bangles were having lunch at the same restaurant. Their drummer, Debbi Peterson, heard their plight and offered an extremely kind gesture. At Peterson’s urging, The Bangles lent The River City People their equipment, so they could make a demo for a recording studio. The River City People made their album, and Peterson and Maher-Kennedy became lifelong friends. In the early 1990’s, The River City People released two albums, “Say Something Good,” which featured a stellar cover of The Mamas & The Papas “California Dreaming” amid an array of top-notch original tunes and “This Is The World.”

While both struggled to find favour with the critics, the albums and the band were loved by audiences. Had they released these albums in the 80’s, The River City People might have had a smashing success alongside classic artists of the era. Such as, The Bangles, Belinda Carlisle (recently left The Go-Go’s and started performing solo), and Bananarama.

Too Late to be Great

The techno-infused dance music boom of the early 90s had an adverse effect on these musicians, and they largely disappeared from the music scene for the remainder of the decade. Though, The Bangles, Carlisle, Bananarama, and others enjoyed a comeback in the early part of the 21st Century, The River City People, unfortunately were not so lucky.

Maher-Kennedy siad, “We’d had a couple of Top 20 singles from our first album back at the start of the 1990s, but the huge dance and rave explosion that happened right at the end of 1991 killed us. Suddenly, it was harder to get singles in the chart. The record company lost interest. Then we started to blame each other, which always happens when the chips are down. Instead of sticking together, it just drove us apart and shortly after being dropped by the label we split up in June 1992.”
Though The River City People were officially over, Maher-Kennedy’s career did not end in the 90’s. She adopted the old adage, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” and performed a stint with one of the techno-dance groups which had threatened her chances a couple of years before.

Oceanic Days

In 1992, a UK band called Oceanic were having a slight crisis. During the production of their album, entitled “That Compact Disc,” vocalist and songwriter, Jorinde Williams (pictured below), had lost her voice after a strenuous round of recording and live gigs. Time was running out for Oceanic to complete and release their album and they still had two unfinished songs. They hired Maher-Kennedy to record “Ignorance” while another song, “Give This Love Some Meaning” became an instrumental piece.

Much like The River City People, Oceanic’s inner dynamic was rocked by conflicts between the band. While Williams and one of her male partners, David Harry (pictured left), remained together, the other partner, Frank Crofts quit. As for Maher-Kennedy, she knew she was only the “hired girl” for the project and was soon looking for another gig.

Old Friend Debbi Peterson

In 1995, Maher-Kennedy received a message from an old friend. In 1989, The Bangles had parted ways (they regrouped in 2000) and Debbi Peterson was looking for a new songwriting/singing partner for a project she had helmed. Peterson’s first partner, in Kindred Spirit, was Gina Schock. The drummer for The Go-Go’s who had split in 1984 (although, like The Bangles would regroup in 2000 as well).

Peterson and Schock had a falling out over creative differences and their idea for a band, then called Smashbox, fizzled out. Peterson and Schock had written several songs together, and while one of these, “Here In My Eyes” was featured on Kindred Spirit’s self-titled album, Schock sued for copyright over the rest of the material. The matter was settled out of court.

Peterson remembered her old friend Siobhan Maher-Kennedy, whom she heard was not currently with a band, and sent her some demos of material she had managed to salvage from the Schock fiasco. Maher-Kennedy loved the material and was eager to work with Peterson, whose kindness had helped her break into music years before.

Peterson and Maher-Kennedy wrote a slew of songs together, nine of which made the final cut. Along with “Here In My Eyes,” which Schock allowed Peterson to have as their bargain for settling out of court.

IRS went Bankrupt

The Kindred Spirit album is filled with beautiful, lush ballads and high energy rockers. It showcased the best of Peterson’s (left) and Maher-Kennedy’s (right) songwriting and vocal skills, as well as Peterson’s trademark snazzy drumming. Unfortunately, the record label, IRS went bankrupt and Kindred Spirit was among the many bands and artists who lost their contracts.
The duo then wrote and recorded “A Christmas Son” for producer Tena Clarke’s delightful “Mother And Child: A Christmas Celebration Of Motherhood.” Joining the ranks of other new mothers who had also contributed to the project. These included: Belinda Carlisle, Amy Grant, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Suzy Bogguss, Martina McBride, CeCe Winans, Shanice & Crystal Wilson, Viola & Wendy Moten, Vesta Williams, and Olivia Newton-John.

Family Time

Though they remain friends, and both would eagerly jump at the chance to work together again, family life became the main priority in both women’s lives. Peterson married The Bangles one-time sound engineer, Steve Botting, and Maher-Kennedy remarried producer Ray Kennedy. Peterson gave birth to a son, Brian (she is also now mother to Keira as well), and Maher-Kennedy gave birth to her daughter, Evangeline.

In the liner notes of “Mother And Child,” Maher-Kennedy said, “I wanted so much for myself, now I want it all for her.”

While she continued to make music after Kindred Spirit parted ways, as far as being an active band goes, both Peterson and Maher-Kennedy are content to make motherhood as much a career as music. Maher-Kennedy even dedicated her then-forthcoming solo album to her husband stating, “To my husband, Ray Kennedy, you got producing and reproducing mixed up, and I love that about you!”

Immigrant Flower, Perfection

In 2002, Maher-Kennedy, as she was now officially known, recorded and released a stunning album titled “Immigrant Flower,” perhaps her best record to date.

With rollicking songs like “Fearless Heart,” “Kiss On The Lips,” and “Why’d You Have To Be So Good To Me,” Maher-Kennedy’s first real solo release is a must-have for any afficionado of strong, sensuous, and heartfelt female vocalists.

Gem after Gem

Another gem is her cover of “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight” which was also superbly recorded by Susan Cowsill for a tribute album to the song’s authors, Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson. It was performed by her band The Continental Drifters.

Sadly, “Immigrant Flower” is also Maher-Kennedy’s last album to date, and fans are both anxious and eager to know if and when she will release another album. She is too precious a talent to risk fading into obscurity, and one can only hope she will make a return to the studio someday.

Debbi Peterson Official MySpace

The River City People Official MySpace

Oceanic Official MySpace

Jorinde Williams Official MySpace

Though Siobhan Maher-Kennedy currently does not have an Official Website or MySpace, for more information about fellow Kindred Spirit Debbi Peterson, The River City People or Oceanic and Jorinde Williams, please visit these websites.

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