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‘Window cleaner’ makes triumphant return

Thursday, 24 April 2008

TO generations of Dubliners he is known simply as the ‘Window Cleaner’.
However, Sonny Knowles, who is enjoying every minute of an unbelievable return to live performing, may have to change that nickname to ‘Lucky’.
After contracting prostrate cancer over six years ago, the affable Dubliner thought he was out of the woods only to be diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus 18 months ago.
“I simply couldn’t believe the news of the second cancer,” says Sonny.
“I thought I had a bit of a tummy bug and went to get it checked out; they had to open me up a couple of times, but eventually I was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus.”
Following extensive surgery at St James’s Hospital under Professor Sean Reynolds, it was a long, hard road back for Sonny and the thought of performing again, even occasionally, never occurred to him.

“With the help of my wife, I gradually began to get better and one day, one of my best friends, Sil Fox, called to my home and invited me to go to a gig in the Concert Hall where Matt Munroe’s son was performing,” explains Sonny.
“It was the last thing I wanted to do, but I agreed to go along to keep Sil happy.
“It turned out to be a lucky night for me because I met promoter Pat Egan.”
Pat remembered Sonny performing a special birthday gig for his mother in his house many years ago and gently enquired if the legendary crooner would consider some comeback shows at his own pace.
“I thought Pat was completely mad at first and I said no,” admits Sonny.
“I was convinced my performing career was at an end.”
However, his career wasn’t at an end, far from it, as Sonny made a triumphant return to recording and performing live.
A new CD that has sold tens of thousands of copies, TV appearances and sold out gigs at Cork Opera House, the National Concert Hall, Gaiety Theatre and the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, has proved that Sonny is as popular, if not more popular, than ever before.
“There are more gigs coming up which I’m looking forward to immensely,” he states.
“But I have to say that all this couldn’t have happened if Pat Egan didn’t believe in me and the fact that I could make a comeback.
“Pat also lets me do the gigs at my own pace and doesn’t put any pressure on me which is a great help.”
Considered by many to be the quintessential Dubliner, Sonny has noticed a complete change that has taken place in the entertainment scene in Ireland over the last number of years.
“The days of the big cabaret pubs such as The Embankment has gone, but they have been replaced with wonderful theatres like the Civic in Tallaght and The Helix in Glasnevin,” he says.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to be able to play these venues and get in touch with the fans again.”
Sonny says he is “flabbergasted” at the response from his fans this time around.
“The people have been coming to the shows in their droves and some of them hang around afterwards and have a chat which is also great,” he states.
Sonny also recalls some of the great performers he shared stages with over the years.
“I remember Earl Gill who had a big band and there was Sean Dunphy who was a great singer,” he recalls.
“But I always drew my influences from the likes of Andy Williams, Tony Bennett and Perry Como – some of the greats.”
Sony Knowles is one of the old school, an entertainer down to the tips of his toes.
Life with its many twists and turns has dealt him a new hand of cards, one that he is grateful for and is enjoying to the full.
Dublin audiences can catch Sonny Knowles at The Helix Theatre, Glasnevin, on Sunday, April 27, and Sunday, September 28.

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