George Cassidy

Following a stint with The Skyliners, a local show band, Cassidy toured in Ireland playing saxophone behind Dusty Springfield with The Springfields. Cassidy was lead saxophonist with the Regal Accordion & Saxophone Band.

• Background — person • Name — George Cassidy • Birth Name — George Cassidy • Born — 7 September 1936 • Birthplace — Belfast, Northern Ireland • Origin — Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland • Died — 28 May 2023 • Place of death — Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, County Down • Genre — Jazz, beat music, blues pop music • Occupation — Jazz musician, music teacher • Instrument — Tenor saxophone, clarinet, lap steel guitar, hurdy-gurdy • Discography — Biography • Past Member Of — The Springfields, The Regal Band

George Cassidy was born on 7 September 1936, at 49 Hyndford Street, Bloomfield, Belfast. He lived with his younger brother, Billy Cassidy, and his mother, Sarah "Sadie" Cassidy, and his father, William Cassidy, who worked as a clerk for Harland & Wolff. Cassidy attended Elmgrove Elementary School from 1940 until 1952. After school, Cassidy served his time at Short Brothers. Hyndford Street became known for the location where Van Morrison also grew up, the two became close friends. As they lived on the same street, it became easily accessible for Morrison to practice and continue to learn. This in turn strengthened the bond between the two. George took inspiration from various artists, such as Matt Monro, whom he first met in Belfast. George Cassidy joined a Beat Band in Belfast as a saxophonist. Following this, Cassidy joined the East Belfast Pipe Band for a brief period. Cassidy then went on to join the Regal Accordion & Saxophone Band in the late 1950s. They were known for their unique style, energy and charisma. The band would play a variety of genres, including pop songs of the time, like "Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles, "Puppet on a String" by Sandie Shaw and traditional jazz. George Cassidy had played a significant role in the early career of the musician Van Morrison. Morrison met with Cassidy on a regular basis to teach him how to read music and tenor saxophone lessons. Their friendship and collaboration had a profound impact on Morrison's development as an artist. Van Morrison later said: "At 15, I was taking lessons from a guy called George Cassidy, who lived in the same street. He was a great jazz player. He had the chops." "When I started studying tenor saxophone as a kid in Belfast, I did so with a guy named George Cassidy, who was also a big inspiration." As a devoted tenor saxophonist, Cassidy opted for the Henri Selmer Paris, for its warm, rich and expressive tone, as well as its hand-made, durable craftsmanship and quality.

• Illustration — Van Morrison and George Cassidy, Van Morrison's birthday, August 2020. George Cassidy grew up on Hyndford Street, he had a brother, William. He married his wife, Joan McComiskey and moved to Dundonald, and had three daughters. He and his family is of Ulster Scots ethnicity. They resided in Ballybeen for a short period before purchasing a house in Ardcarn. George Cassidy worked for John Kelly Limited at Queen's Quay, Belfast. Cassidy enjoyed Horse Racing, and frequented the Canberra Bar, Monico and The Raven Social Club. He was a supporter of the Progressive Unionist Party and became friends with David Ervine, who attended the same members club. His favourite drinks were Guinness and demerara rum. George Cassidy's grandfather, William John Cassidy, was a trimmer on the RMS Titanic., before disembarking in Southampton. Cassidy was a freemason and a member of Unite the Union. Prior to Unite, Cassidy was a member of the Transport and General Workers' Union, and fought to keep Kingsberry Coal open in Belfast. George Cassidy was born into an Ulster Protestant working-class family. He joined the Apprentice Boys of Derry, followed by the Orange Order. Cassidy died on 28 May 2023, in the Ulster Hospital from complications of COVID-19 and Pneumonia. His favourite song "If I Never Sing Another Song" was played at his funeral, 7 June. He is buried at Roselawn Cemetery. George Cassidy was of Ulster-Scots descent.

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