LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III is "the most candid diarist among the singer-songwriters who...brought confessional poetry into popular song," says the New York Times, while MOJO calls him "one of America's most astute lyrical commentators".
Born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1946, Loudon Wainwright III came to attention when 'Dead Skunk' became a Top 20 hit in 1972. His songs have since been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Earl Scruggs, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, his son Rufus Wainwright, and Mose Allison, among others. In 2011, they were commemorated by the comprehensive five-disc retrospective, 40 Odd Years.
Additionally, Wainwright has co-written with songwriter/producer Joe Henry on the music for Judd Apatow’s hit movie Knocked Up, written music for the British theatrical adaptation of the Carl Hiaasen novel Lucky You, and composed topical songs for NPR’s Morning Edition and ABC’s Nightline. His most recent appearance was on the BBC's Later...with Jools Holland this month:
He has appeared in films directed by Martin Scorsese, Christopher Guest, Tim Burton, Cameron Crowe, Judd Apatow, and Steven Soderbergh. He has also appeared on TV in M*A*S*H and on Broadway in Pump Boys and Dinettes. He has also been performing a one-man theatrical show, Surviving Twin, which combines his songs and the writings of his late father:
Loudon Wainwright III plays the Róisín Dubh on Saturday November 5 at 8pm. Support is from Chaim Tannebaum. Tickets are available at www.roisindubh.net, the Ticket Desk at OMG Zhivago, Shop Street, and The Róisín Dubh.
