Black 47 began as a two-piece with Larry Kirwan on vocals and electric guitar and Chris Byrne on whistles. Their first performance was in the Bronx on October 2, 1989. During the first year a horn section was added with Fred Parcells on trombone and Geoffrey Blythe on saxophones. Later they were joined by Thomas Hamlin on drums.

In 1991 the band created a stir in the downtown Manhattan scene with their weekly residency at Paddy Reilly's on Second Avenue. In the same year, the band released an eponymous independent album which gained the attention of the music industry.

The Cars' Ric Ocasek produced "Fire of Freedom" their first major label release in 1993. During this year, the singles "Funky Céilí" and "Maria's Wedding" were in heavy rotation on alternative radio and MTV's 120 Minutes.

"Home of the Brave" followed in 1994 with Jerry Harrison serving as producer. The album continued the band's socio-political themes of American labor and civil rights, Irish nationalism, and the immigrant experience.

In 1996 the band shifted from EMI to Mercury Records. They released "Green Suede Shoes" which had been their most critically successful album since "Fire of Freedom."

In their tenth year together, Black 47 released a limited edition compilation "Ten Bloody Years" and their first live recording "Live In New York City" which took place in the now defunct Wetlands nightclub.

In 2000, founding member Chris Byrne left the band to focus on his solo music project Seanchaí and the Unity Squad.

Today

Black 47 is at once political, irreverent, militant and feisty. Their broad musical influences include punk rock, rock and roll, Irish music, rap/hip-hop, reggae, and soul. They maintain a loyal fan base while touring in the United States and Ireland.

They continue their tradition of their Saturday night performances in New York City at Connolly's of Times Square.