Book Launch: Bap Kennedy - All the Dreams of a Boy

To mark 10 years since Bap Kennedy’s passing, his wife Brenda Kennedy launches his biography, Bap Kennedy: All the Dreams of a Boy.

One of Ireland’s most respected songwriters, Bap led a fascinating, colourful life and left an extraordinary musical legacy. Yet he was, in the words of The Irish Times, “a musician’s musician who never achieved the success his talent deserved.”

Only in his final blog post did Bap reveal that he had been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in his 40s, and acknowledge some of the difficulties it had caused him:

“Over the years I failed miserably to negotiate the music business despite the help of notable musicians such as Steve Earle, Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler; and it ended up taking a huge toll on me.”

Despite those challenges, Bap ultimately described Asperger Syndrome as “the engine of my creativity” and planned to write a book about his life and music, including the role it had played in both. When he became too ill, he entrusted the task to Brenda.

She has continued to champion his music, co-producing the critically acclaimed albums Reckless Heart and Above All, Love.

At the launch, Brenda will be in conversation with BBC broadcaster Ralph McLean.