MISSING DES
DES REGAN
February 19, 2007
MISSING DES
This St. Patrick’s Day was strangely quiet for many members of the Irish Community. The festivities went on as usual, but for many there was a distinct silence. There was no lively button box music, for Des Regan had passed away on February 19th, 2007. Desmond James O’Regan of Moycullen, County Galway, Ireland gave us the great joy of his music for the better part of his 70 years.
Des Regan has been a central figure in the Irish Community, performing at many of the community events for decades with his Irish Show Band. His career as an Irish button accordion player is noted in Susan Gedutis’ book, See You at the Hall, Boston’s Golden Era of Irish Music and Dance. In his lifetime, he played with some of the best in Irish music including other box players such as Kevin Keegan and Joe Burke.
Des was a distinguished player on an instrument that many musicians forsake due to the challenges. His love of the music sailed through the jigs and reels he played. When he played A Bonnie Bunch of Roses, it sounded holy and you could hear the church bells resonating. Those of us who were lucky enough to share sessions with him will mourn his passing for a long time.