Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre

LONNIE DONEGAN - Remembered by sons Peter and Anthony Donegan

Thu 15 May 2025 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre


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Lonnie Donegan remembered by his sons Peter & Anthony Donegan:

Lonnie Donegan, the Songs & Stories

70th Anniversary of "Rock Island Line"

1955 - 2025

Award winning songwriter and star of The Voice UK Peter Donegan and his older brother Anthony present a fantastic and unique evening of Lonnie's songs and stories about their legendary father - The King of Skiffle - Lonnie Donegan.

This is a unique, 'behind-the-scenes' glimpse into life growing up with a musical legend as a father.

"We consider this 'pay-back' for all the stories he used tell about us!" laughs Peter Donegan.

Expect huge laughs, singing and lots of foot stomping fun.

Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan MBE (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002) was a British skiffle singer, songwriter and musician, referred to as the "King of Skiffle", who influenced 1960s British pop and rock musicians. Born in Scotland and brought up in England, Donegan began his career in the British trad jazz revival but transitioned to skiffle in the mid-1950s, rising to prominence with a hit recording of the American folk song "Rock Island Line" which helped spur the broader UK skiffle movement.

Donegan had 31 UK top 30 hit singles, 24 were successive hits and three were number one. He was the first British male singer with two US top 10 hits.[1] Donegan received an Ivor Novello lifetime achievement award in 1995 and in 2000 he was made an MBE. Donegan was a pivotal figure in the British Invasion due to his influence in the US in the late 1950s.

  • "He was the first person we had heard of from Britain to get to the coveted No. 1 in the charts, and we studied his records avidly. We all bought guitars to be in a skiffle group. He was the man." – Paul McCartney
  • "He really was at the very cornerstone of English blues and rock." – Brian May.

  • "I wanted to be Elvis Presley when I grew up, I knew that. But the man who really made me feel like I could actually go out and do it was a chap by the name of Lonnie Donegan." – Roger Daltrey

  • "Remember, Lonnie Donegan started it for you." – Jack White's acceptance speech at the Brit Awards.

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Almost inevitably, Peter and Anthony Donegan have been performing since a very early age given that the 'Godfather of British Rock n Roll', 'King of Skiffle', the late Lonnie Donegan, is their father. Lonnie inspired every British Invasion band from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin.

Peter Donigan.

Peter has opened for such esteemed artists such as his late father - Lonnie Donegan and even country music legend - Crystal Gale. He has shared the stage with some of the worlds legends such as Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg, to name a few.

Peter was scouted by The Voice UK, where he became a member of Sir Tom Jones' team, securing a viral duet with Sir Tom of one his biggest hits, a song, written by Peters late father – I'll Never Fall in Love Again.

In 2019 Peter released his album - 'LIVE', recorded at the old Decca recording studios, London where he invited a host of fans to watch a live performance in the same studio that his late father recorded his industry-changing ï¬rst hit – 'Rock Island Line'. This album received rave reviews such as "...this album is almost unparalleled…" (americana-uk.com)

Peter is also an accomplished event producer. In 2019 successfully producing, directing and performing in a second sellout event, this time at London's Cadogan Hall, to celebrate his late father - Lonnie Donegan and the 65th anniversary of the recording of the hit that changed the British Music Industry - Rock Island Line, alongside such legends as: Van Morrison, Billy Bragg, Leo Sayer, Chris Farlowe to name only a few.

Peter released his single 'Thank You Texas'.
This song climbed the charts rapidly and stayed at #1 on the HotDiscTop40 charts for over 4 weeks as well as #11 on the UnitedDJ Heritage Charts for 6 weeks, ahead of releases from Paul Simon & Dion and The Pretenders.

Most recently, both Peter and his latest single 'Thank You Texas' won awards for 'Best Male Vocalist' and 'Best Original Song' respectively at the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards 2020.

Peter and Anthony will give you an insight into their lives and what is was like growing up with a true Legend of Rock and Roll.