In late 2006 Dermot O'Brien made what was to be his last visit to Scotland. Deryn Waitt pesuaded him to come for a relaxing time at a Ceilidh weekend she and Robin had organised in Castle Douglas. Dermot was very ill but nobody was to know that. This clip displays how brilliant he was even though it was only a short time before his sad passing in May 2007.
I had the privelage of knowing Dermot from the early days of the Accordion Club movement in Scotland. The first Accordion Club guest spot he ever did was at a joint night between Galston and Straiton Clubs and held at the Racecourse in Ayr. He came after some persuasion by Davy Ross of Kilmarnock, Chairman of Galston Club.
Through Robin & Deryn I was asked to do tours with Dermot as keyboard player in his trio in 1983 & 84 after he'd emigrated to America an oppotrunity I'll never forget.
Dermot O'Brien was undoubtedly one of the greatest entertainers I have ever met. A fabulous accordionist, a wonderful singer and a really nice man (not to mention a champion Irish football captain, television and radio star, trombone player, pianist, chart topping recording star and.............. the list is endless). This is my little tribute to a gentleman I'm proud to have known.
God be with you Dermot.......forever.