Aslan Biography: The Rise, Fall and Comeback of Ireland's Rock Legends
Formation
Aslan formed in Dublin in 1982, bringing together five musicians who would go on to become one of Ireland's best-loved rock bands. The original line-up featured Christy Dignam on vocals, Billy McGuinness and Joe Jewell on guitars, Tony McGuinness on bass and Alan Downey on drums. Taking their name from the lion in The Chronicles of Narnia, they set about making music that mixed raw rock energy with plenty of heart.
The Early Years
Like plenty of Irish bands in the early 1980s, Aslan started out playing small venues and building a following around Dublin. Their energetic live performances soon earned them a reputation as a band worth checking out, particularly on the city's busy pub and club circuit. With Dignam's distinctive voice leading the way, they developed a loyal following long before the record companies came knocking.
Breakthrough
Aslan's big break arrived in 1986 with the release of their debut single, This Is
, a song that quickly became a favourite among Irish music fans. Its success helped bring the band to a much wider audience and attracted interest from major record labels. Before long, Aslan had signed with EMI, and things were beginning to look very promising for the five lads from Dublin.
Their debut album, Feel No Shame
, arrived in 1988 and reached number one on the Irish Albums Chart, confirming that Aslan were more than just another promising local act. Songs like This Is
and Loving Me Lately
showed off their ability to combine powerful guitar-driven rock with memorable melodies. They looked set for bigger things, but trouble behind the scenes would soon bring their rise to an unexpected halt.
Christy Dignam Sacked
Just as Aslan were beginning to enjoy their success, things took a dramatic turn in 1988 when Christy Dignam was sacked from the band. His struggles with heroin addiction had become a serious problem, creating difficulties within the group at a crucial point in their career. Losing their charismatic frontman was a massive blow, especially when the band appeared to be on the verge of international success.
With Dignam gone, the remaining members attempted to carry on, bringing in Eamon Doyle as their new lead singer. However, things never quite worked out as they had hoped, and the momentum built up over the previous few years began to disappear. The band eventually split in 1988, leaving fans wondering what might have happened if the original line-up had managed to stay together.
Dignam's Return
Five years after their split, Aslan reunited with Christy Dignam for what was supposed to be a one-off gig in Finglas in July 1993. The chemistry was still there, and the reaction from fans made it clear that people hadn't forgotten them. Rather than leave it at one night, the lads decided to give things another go, putting their differences behind them and getting back to making music together.
Their comeback proved to be a huge success, with the 1993 single Crazy World
reaching number four in the Irish charts and becoming one of their most recognisable songs. The follow-up, Where's the Sun?
, was another hit, while their second album, Goodbye Charlie Moonhead
, topped the Irish Albums Chart in 1994. Aslan were back in business, and their second chapter would prove even more enduring than their first.
The Songs
Aslan built up an impressive collection of songs over the years, with Crazy World
and This Is
probably the two most closely associated with the band. Other favourites include Where's the Sun?
, Loving Me Lately
, Pretty Thing
, She's So Beautiful
and Shine a Light
. Their music often dealt with love, loss and everyday struggles, with Dignam's emotional vocals giving even their simplest songs something special.
The Albums
Across their career, Aslan released a string of successful albums, beginning with Feel No Shame
in 1988 and Goodbye Charlie Moonhead
in 1994. These were followed by Here Comes Lucy Jones
(1997), Waiting for This Madness to End
(2001), For Some Strange Reason
(2007) and Nudie Books and Frenchies
(2012). They also released the popular live album
Made in Dublin
in 1999, capturing the energy that made their concerts so memorable.
Final Verdict
Aslan's story has never been straightforward, but that's part of what made them such an important Irish band. Their mix of gritty rock, catchy melodies and honest lyrics connected with generations of music fans. Christy Dignam's death in June 2023 marked the end of an era, although Aslan have continued with new singer Lee Tomkins. Whatever the future holds, their place in Irish rock history is well deserved.
