Daniel O'Donnell: 'I've done so much in life - now I just get out there and enjoy it'

STV News

03-05-2025

He's the only artist in the world to score a hit in the UK album charts every year since 1988, making Daniel O'Donnell one of the most successful recording stars ever.
The legendary Irish singer is performing in Glasgow and Aberdeen for his devoted fans next weekend.
Daniel, 63, has released 46 albums and in 2015 and sold over ten million albums worldwide.
He revealed he is set to launch his 47th studio record in October – though it may be the last released in physical form.
'This might be the last physical CD, as people are moving to downloading,' he told What's On Scotland.
'I love a CD. I remember when records were everywhere – I used to go to HMV and see my face on the wall!
'I'm sure people who weren't familiar with me saw me there and wondered 'who's that?'' he joked.
Daniel is kicking off his UK tour this month some 40 years since he first performed in Scotland.
He recalled some of his first solo gigs in Glasgow at The Squirrel bar in the Barras, the Claddagh Club, and the Irish Centre.
'I'm not doing as many shows as I used to; I'm in my 60s, so I've slowed down a bit.
'It's lovely to do the shows – I love coming back and look forward to it.
'It's the audience. When you start singing, and they sing with you, they lift you up to the heavens. That's what makes it.
'There's nothing quite like the atmosphere of singing live.' Supplied Daniel O'Donnell's music video for Home To Donegal
Daniel's roots in the music business trace back to the early 1980s, when he abandoned his business studies course to perform with his sister Margo in her country band.
His love of singing began as a boy growing up in the village of Kincasslagh, in the west of County Donegal.
'I don't remember a time without music. I don't remember a time when I wasn't singing myself.
'My father, even though he died young, was apparently a good singer. My mum used to write poems.
'On both sides of the family, my uncles and grandfathers were singers.
'It's the same here in Ireland. Someone is always singing a song. When we would have family gatherings, we just did it. It wasn't for a profession, but it was in our blood.'
In 1983, Daniel forked out £1,200 of his own money to record and release his debut single, The Boy From Donegal, selling all the copies himself. He went on to form band Country Fever later that year and, later, The Grassroots.
He shot to stardom following the release of his breakthrough solo album From The Heart, cementing himself as a household name across Ireland and the UK by the mid-1990s.
Daniel has many cherished memories from the earlier days of his career.
One of his favourites performing I Just Want To Dance With You on Top of the Pops, appearing alongside Ebeneezer Goode techno hitmakers The Shamen.
'We were like a hundred streets apart. The Shamen were punkish with earrings and piercings, and I had a Fairisle cardigan on.. They were probably as frightened of me as I was of them!
'Looking back, I never thought I'd be on anything like that.' Supplied Daniel in happy-go-lucky music video for Down At the La De Da
Looking back on his rise to success, Daniel credits his dedicated fans who have been there every step of the way.
He said he can 'count on one hand' the number of times he didn't meet fans after his concerts.
'I love meeting people who come through the shows. The only time I didn't was during Covid.
'Without the audience, I wouldn't have had success or longevity.
'It's their connection with the music. It's not fickle – it's the language, genre. With modern music, some people move on to different things, but they are loyal and stick with it.'
Despite his veteran status in the industry, the Irish icon proves he's still game.
On April Fool's Day, he surprised a family who have gone viral on Tiktok for their traditional monthly unveiling of the star's official calendar at their County Down Home.
He also teamed up with college students to cover Jimmy Buffett tune Down at The La De Dah for a happy-go-lucky music video for his 60th birthday in 2021.
'Two fellas came to me and asked if I'd be interested in doing a production, making films, promoting what they were doing.
'I had flowery things around my neck and it was filmed in a community centre – it was just amazing.'
When he's not hitting the stage or recording yet another album, Daniel spends time with wife Majella and loved ones at home in Ireland.
He's also looking forward to meeting his baby grandson Jack for the first time when family come over to visit from Melbourne, Australia in July.
But before he can kick back and relax, he's heading Stateside for a string of concerts in the Midwest and North East this summer.
'When you get older, you're not trying to get ahead – you're just doing what you love,' he said.
'I've done so much – and you still want to be the best you can be – but you just go out and enjoy it.'
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