Sonny Knowles

Sonny Knowles (2 November 1932 – 15 November 2018) was an Irish singer.

He was born in Dublin to Tommy and Mary Knowles. His singing was centered on showband and cabaret tunes. His early career began when he stumbled upon the clarinet and saxophone at the Dublin Music School. As a young man he joined the Johnny Butler Band followed by Earl Gill's Band, the Pacific Showband and then Dermot O'Brien's showband. His decision to go solo at the peak of the cabaret era, opened up his career. Knowles had two songs in the 1966 Irish National Song Contest scoring no points with both songs and finishing in equal 10th with himself. The two songs were "The Menace from Ennis"[1] and an Irish Gaelic entry "Chuaigh mé suas don chluiche mór"[2] (I Went Up for the Big Game) and in the Irish final of 1971 he would again score no points with his song An fhaid a mhairim.

Knowles twice survived scares with oesophageal cancer and after his most recent battle, curtailed his lifestyle somewhat but still performed.

Sonny Knowles died on 15 November 2018 at his home aged 86.[3]