After 60 years of Irish ballads and rebel songs, The Wolfe Tones will conclude their career in America this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Their last American shows will be Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 pm at the Town Hall in New York City.
The group formed six decades ago, back in August of 1963. The group consisted of frontman Brian Warfield, Noel Nagel, and Liam Courtney. The following year, Brian’s brother Derek Warfield joined the group along with Tommy Byrne, who replaced Courtney. That lineup remained consistent for almost 37 years until “creative differences” caused Derek Warfield to leave the band in 2001. Derek formed The Young Wolfe Tones and has barely spoken to his brother Brian since.
The band now consists of Brian Warfield, Noel Nagel, and Tommy Byrne. Despite the change in lineup, the band continues to chant their rebel songs. Their hit “Celtic Symphony” remains a fan favorite, standing the test of time. Just two years ago in October of 2022, the song rose again to No. 1 on the Irish iTunes charts and No. 2 on the UK iTunes chart 35 years after its initial release. This rebel song truly embodies The Wolfe Tones essence, especially as the band is named after Theobald Wolfe Tone, a prominent leader of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
The band’s success hasn’t stayed in Ireland and the UK but has traveled overseas to the Tri-state area. Their song “The Streets of New York,” which was released in 1981, continues to be a staple in the New York Irish community. The song can be heard every week on New York’s WFUV 90.7 FM’s Irish music program, Ceol na nGael.
The Wolfe Tones will celebrate their long-term success with their Farewell Tour. But why not continue this success? Brian Warfield said member Tommy Byrne always said, “I’m not going to go past 80.” As Byrne and Nagel are 80 this year, the band has decided to retire. But they’re not going quietly. They’ll be ending their Farewell Tour with two lively shows in 3Arena, Dublin in mid-October.
To catch The Wolfe Tones live one last time in New York at the Town Hall this upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend on March 15 and 16, click here for tickets.
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