John McCormack : Short Biography

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John McCormack was born to Scottish parents in Athlone, County Westmeath on the 14th of June 1884. He was one of 11 children born to his parents who worked in the Athlone Woollen Mills. In his youth, John sang in a number of choirs. He clearly had a natural talent but still required formal training in order to fine tune his skills. When he was a young man, the family relocated to Dublin where John continued his choral activities. While in Dublin, John became friends with James Joyce with whom he would often spend evenings singing, though John was clearly the more musically talented of the two. In 1904 he performed in the United States before returning to Ireland. 

In 1905 John travelled to Italy to complete his vocal training. From there his career moved in leaps and bounds. He landed many key Operatic roles and performed in London for a number of years. He also regularly performed in Italy and America. In 1919 he became a naturalised American citizen. His talents helped him to amass a fortune and he enjoyed the lifestyle of the rich and the famous. He moved amongst the highest echelon of society, counting Errol Flynn and John Barrymore amongst his friends. 

Towards the end of his life, John McCormack suffered with poor health. He returned to his native Ireland where he passed away on the 16th of September 1945 at the age of 61. His memory is kept alive by the presence of two statues, one in Dublin's Iveagh Gardens, and another in his hometown of Athlone. But it is the recordings of his beautiful tenor voice which are his greatest legacy. 

Below is a recording of John singing Danny Boy.