The Importance Of Being David
One of the leading lights in Irish music since the 1970s, Dave Fanning has led the life, brilliantly heading up the rock posse in RTÉ and rubbing shoulders with a vast array of music legends. Back in pole position on RTÉ 2fm’s night-time schedule, he has seen off rivals elsewhere to remain at the centre of the broadcasting action. With his autobiography just released, it’s time for a natter. As ever with the man they call Fanning, what we get is a remarkably open and honest exchange
Olaf Tyaransen, 03 Nov 2010
Dave Fanning is not so great at taking his own advice. The first sentence of the introduction to the veteran Dublin DJ’s just published autobiography The Thing Is... reads: “The Thing Is... you should always get to the point.”
In fairness, he does in the book, which, while not deeply revealing about his personal life, is witty, entertaining, well-told, and light on the kind of waffle that celebrity books are far too prone to. Conversationally, however, as will already be well-known to both Fanning fans and detractors, he only tends to get to the point via several other points. A rapid-fire interviewee, he’s a joy to chat to, but an absolute bitch to transcribe.
Bono puts it best in his foreword to the book: “He is not serene, our Dave. His conversation is more white-water rafting... ideas percolate... he tests them out on you, wondering who will capsize first... It’s a furtive intelligence; a very fast and furious brain, given to a boy and a character with impeccable manners and grace.”
He’s ten minutes late for our meeting in the Library Bar of the Central Hotel, but apologises profusely upon arrival (before asking, “Jesus, am I even late at all?”). The impeccable manners and grace undoubtedly came from his parents – religious mum Annie, and relaxed civil servant dad, Barney. According to the book, Fanning loved his Mount Merrion family home so much he remained living there until his late twenties. He was already a household name by the time he left, having quickly graduated from the pirate radio stations to RTÉ, where he remains an institution via a steady stream of consistently good radio and TV shows.
Thin, angular and sharply dressed, Fanning still looks pretty fab for a 55-year-old father of three. This is undoubtedly the result of having thus far lived a relatively charmed, happy and freewheeling life, travelling around and getting paid for doing things he loves to do – listening to music, watching movies, and talking to the creators of both. As he says in the book, “What a long strange trip it’s been. Then again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
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