THE SPALPEENS
April 18, 1921 - September 18, 2005
Bill Davis: Spalpeen, Hero, Father, Friend, Irishman
Bill Davis, the beloved founder of Baltimore’s first Irish folk singing group, The Spalpeens, died peacefully on Sunday morning, September 18, 2005. His death came on the weekend of the annual Baltimore Irish Festival. Only the night before, on the stage of the Fifth Regiment armory, the band Bill started with his sons 32 years earlier had played a tribute to its ailing founder. His passing was felt by the entire Irish community in Baltimore, for Bill had been a stalwart supporter of Irish causes and charities all his life. When Bill Davis died in 2005, Jerry Meyers gave the eulogy at the funeral service. It was a stirring, heartfelt talk that touched all who heard it. Sadly, Jerry’s health started deteriorating almost at the same time. A little more than a year later, on October 18, 2006, Jerry suddenly passed away. The loss of Bill and Jerry in such close proximity hit the band hard. Since then, the remaining Spalpeens have rededicated themselves to the original ideals of Bill Davis and to the memory of Jerry Meyers. Certainly, the band has always existed as a way to celebrate Irish and American heritage and to see music as the bond of friendship and family. “The band was important to Dad as a way to keep the family together,” says Rocky. “We didn’t know it back then, but we’re together now because of the band. We wouldn’t know half the people we know right now that we can call good friends if it weren’t for The Spalpeens.”
-Patrick McGuire-
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January 2, 1950 - October 18, 2006
Fare thee well, Jerry Meyers of The Spalpeens
The Spalpeens for 30 years, passed painfully from our sight on October 18th, 2006. He was 56. Jerry will be remembered not only for the sweetness of his ballads, the strength of his rhythm guitar and his emcee repartee for The Spalpeens, but for his gentle sense of humor, his easy smile, and his heart felt caring. His death comes only a year after the passing of Bill Davis, the heroic World War II paratrooper who founded The Spalpeens with his sons in 1973. Their first performance was at the initial Baltimore Irish Festival. They have played the festival and entertained audiences ever since. Jerry, who graduated from Mt. St. Joseph High School with Bill's son Rocky Davis, joined the band in 1974. When Bill passed in September 2005, Jerry Meyers delivered the stirring, well-remembered eulogy. Recently, it fell to Rocky to speak the final words over his dear friend. Those thoughts also will live on. We, the surviving Spalpeens can attest that Jerry Meyers and Bill Davis were the true conscience of our band: they were sticklers for enunciation, tight harmonies, stage presence and practice. With them gone, we've lost our two best/worst critics. To honor their memory, therefore, The Spalpeens would like to dedicate their performance at this year's festival to these two very decent and beloved men, our friend and our father. May the road rise with you Jerry Meyers and Bill Davis. Bail 'o Dhia ort.Jerry Meyers, whose mellow tenor voice graced
-Patrick McGuire-
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