US musicians and politicians paid tribute yesterday to Tommy Makem, who died in New Hampshire on Wednesday.
His son, Shane, said the phone had not stopped ringing since Wednesday morning, with people calling from around the US to offer their condolences. "It's been difficult to take one call because the phone shows there's another call coming in immediately. It shows how well regarded he was everywhere he went."
Tommy Makem's death has attracted large media interest in the US, with the New York Timesdedicating a 900-word tribute to his memory.
New Hampshire governor John Lynch said the state has lost its "national and international treasure" and Makem's music had brought tears of joy and sadness to people around the world. An ailing Mr Makem played at the governor's inauguration in January.
Congressman Joe Crowley of New York described Mr Makem as a friend who has instilled a deep sense of pride in people of Irish descent.
Shane Makem said he and his brothers were due to perform at the Dublin Irish music festival in Ohio this weekend and that the organisers are dedicating the festival to his father's memory.
The world's largest Irish music festival, the Milwaukee Irish Fest, said it would have a special music tribute to his memory when the it opens on August 16th.
Mr Makem said his father's greatest legacy would be his influence on other musicians. He recalled that Bob Dylan insisted he hold an after-show party in Tommy Makem's Pavilion bar in New York after a Dylan tribute concert in Madison Square Gardens in 1992.
"It was late at night when nearly everyone had gone home and I remember Bob urging my father to play some Irish ballads for himself and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Of course he obliged," he said.