Who is Feargal Sharkey? Undertones star's age, songs, wife, children and more facts

28 August 2020, 18:07

Feargal Sharkey was one of the biggest music stars of the punk era in the late 1970s thanks to his hits with The Undertones.

He then forged himself a successful solo pop career in the 1980s, but took a step away from performing in the 1990s.

Feargal has since become a leading force in the music industry as an A&R manager and executive, and is particularly fond of fly fishing.

1. Who is Feargal Sharkey?

   

   Feargal Sharkey is a singer from Northern Ireland, and is best known as the frontman of punk band The Undertones in the 1970s and 1980s.

   With the band, he scored big hits including 'Teenage Kicks' and 'My Perfect Cousin'.

   He then embarked on a solo career, peaking with the 1985 number one single 'A Good Heart'.

   

   The Undertones - Teenage Kicks (Official Video)

   In the early 1990s, he took a step back from performing, and has had various roles supporting the UK's commercial music industry, winning several awards and honours for his work.

2. What has Feargal Sharkey been up to?

   

   Feargal Sharkey - A Good Heart (HQ Audio)

   In the early 1990s, Sharkey moved into music business, starting as an A&R for Polydor Records, and then as managing director of EXP Ltd. He was a member of the Radio Authority for five years from 1998 to 2003.

   He became chairman of the UK Government task force the 'Live Music Forum' in 2004, to evaluate the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on the performance of live music. He also gave public evidence before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in 2008.

   In 2008, Sharkey was named the CEO of British Music Rights. Later that year, he became head of UK Music, an umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of the UK's commercial music industry.

   In 2011, Sharkey made a one-off appearance in a show named 'Erasure + Special Guests', singing 'Never Never'. This was the first time he had sung live for 20 years.

   Sharkey was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to music.

3. How old is Feargal Sharkey?

   Feargal Sharkey was born on August 13, 1958. He celebrated his 62nd birthday in 2020.

   His full name is Seán Feargal Sharkey.

   He was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. His father Jim Sharkey, an electrician, was an active member of the Electrical Trade Union. His mother’s name was Sibeal Sharkey.

   He was the second youngest of his parents' seven children, and he had three brothers named Jimmy, Michael, and Diarmuid and three sisters named Patricia, Ursula and Bridgín.

4. Is Feargal Sharkey married and does he have any children?

   

   Feargal is married to his partner Elizabeth, but the couple prefer to keep other areas of their personal lives private.