‘Grace’ composers Seán and Frank O’Meara were invited by Rod Stewart to take to the stage at the 3 Arena last night. The O’Meara brothers became part of the pop superstar’s sell-out concert by joining a troupe of leggy blonde performers while Stewart bellowed out ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ to wild applause. Seán O’Meara is the former MD of Young Advertising.
The two brothers composed ‘Grace’ in 1985, Seán writing the lyrics and Frank the melody.
Stewart first heard ‘Grace’ sung by Celtic fans. The ballad, which became a trademark song for Jim McCann, tells the story of 1916 Rising leader Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford, who were married in Kilmainham jail just before Plunkett’s execution. The O’Meara brothers appeared on the Late Late Show in March year to thank Stewart for embracing ‘Grace’.
Stewart defied an alleged ban by BBC bosses stopping him from singing the ‘anti-British’ song on breakfast TV. Every time ‘Grace’ is played, the O’Meara brothers earn royalties. A seasoned Manchester United fan, Sean O’Meara would also have been chuffed – if not a tad relieved – to see his club beat Jose Mourinho’s Spurs 2-1 at Old Trafford last night.
