ABOUT BRENDA . . .
Brenda Kennedy (AKA author name Brenda Boyd) was born in North Belfast, Northern Ireland . She grew up at the height of the troubles, in an area of the city then known as “Murder Mile”
Brenda's path through life has taken some unexpected turns and includes a career in law (following a close call with a music career), major involvement in the world of Asperger and autism as well as becoming a published author, before her eventual return to the music she had left behind.
It also includes her close relationship and marriage to renowned singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy, who tragically passed away on 1 Nov 2016 at the age of 54.
Brenda's path through life has taken some unexpected turns and includes a career in law (following a close call with a music career), major involvement in the world of Asperger and autism as well as becoming a published author, before her eventual return to the music she had left behind.
It also includes her close relationship and marriage to renowned singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy, who tragically passed away on 1 Nov 2016 at the age of 54.
Starting out in law
Brenda studied law at Queens University, Belfast (QUB) where she obtained her law degree (LLB Hons). Her post graduate study was at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) where she qualified as a lawyer. For several years she was a practicing lawyer based in Belfast, and later had her own practice in Holywood, Co. Down.
Asperger Syndrome, the Universe & Everything...
When Brenda's youngest child Kenneth was eight, he was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (high functioning autism) & at the age of ten Kenneth wrote a highly acclaimed book about his experience of the condition.
Kenneth's diagnosis prompted some significant changes, and Brenda soon found herself becoming less interested in law and more interested in autism. She became involved in autism charities locally and was responsible for setting up and managing the first Befriending Service in N. Ireland for people with autism and Asperger Syndrome, on behalf of the National Autistic Society. This was the first grass roots service ever provided in N. Ireland by the NAS.
(Later Brenda and Bap were also to serve a term as co-patrons of Autism NI)
Kenneth's diagnosis prompted some significant changes, and Brenda soon found herself becoming less interested in law and more interested in autism. She became involved in autism charities locally and was responsible for setting up and managing the first Befriending Service in N. Ireland for people with autism and Asperger Syndrome, on behalf of the National Autistic Society. This was the first grass roots service ever provided in N. Ireland by the NAS.
(Later Brenda and Bap were also to serve a term as co-patrons of Autism NI)
Books
Over the years Brenda has written several books on the subject of Asperger Syndrome under the name Brenda Boyd (published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers) plus a children’s novel (The Swan & The Burglar)
Over the years Brenda's books have been translated into several languages, including Dutch, Complex Chinese, Japanese & Swedish. Reviews consistently refer to their practical usefulness and insight. Typical comments indicate that readers believe Brenda "really knows what she is talking about" when it comes to Asperger Syndrome. This comes as no surprise since Brenda was diagnosed in adult life herself with Asperger Syndrome and it is this above all that gives her insight, as she wrote in her book "Appreciating Asperger Syndrome"
Asperger Syndrome was something Brenda had in common with her late husband Bap Kennedy. However Bap kept his diagnosis private, choosing not to reveal it publicly until shortly before his death, via his final blog post in which he referred to Asperger Syndrome as "the engine of [his] creativity"
Over the years Brenda's books have been translated into several languages, including Dutch, Complex Chinese, Japanese & Swedish. Reviews consistently refer to their practical usefulness and insight. Typical comments indicate that readers believe Brenda "really knows what she is talking about" when it comes to Asperger Syndrome. This comes as no surprise since Brenda was diagnosed in adult life herself with Asperger Syndrome and it is this above all that gives her insight, as she wrote in her book "Appreciating Asperger Syndrome"
Asperger Syndrome was something Brenda had in common with her late husband Bap Kennedy. However Bap kept his diagnosis private, choosing not to reveal it publicly until shortly before his death, via his final blog post in which he referred to Asperger Syndrome as "the engine of [his] creativity"
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Changing direction
Immediately after quitting law and giving up her solicitor's practice, Brenda decided to make some radical changes and devote her time and energy to something she would find more personally fulfilling. She enrolled on a painting course, which resulted in her rediscovering a passion for creating pastel landscapes (some of which can be seen on the cover of her book Appreciating Asperger Syndrome, and on the artwork of her album, Banish The Blue Days)
Around this time, alongside her writing and painting Brenda also began work as a volunteer in the Marie Curie Hospice
(In a strange twist of irony, this turned out to be the same centre where Bap and she were to find themselves in summer 2016)
Around this time, alongside her writing and painting Brenda also began work as a volunteer in the Marie Curie Hospice
(In a strange twist of irony, this turned out to be the same centre where Bap and she were to find themselves in summer 2016)
Bap Kennedy & The Grand Opera House
From a young age, Brenda had a great interest in music and song writing, to the point that she studied music to Advanced Level before choosing a career in law instead. Then years later, as a mature student, she returned to study music at University level.
In 2006, Brenda decided to devote more time to her music; and that summer she enrolled on a song-writing workshop run by Bap Kennedy. At the conclusion of the workshop, each person was given the opportunity to perform their own composition, and a vote was held among the workshop participants for Best Song.
Brenda won the vote and claimed the prize - which was to perform her song with Bap and his band that evening at the Grand Opera House, Belfast. This was Brenda's first ever live gig, but she took to live performance like a duck to water and received a standing ovation.
In 2006, Brenda decided to devote more time to her music; and that summer she enrolled on a song-writing workshop run by Bap Kennedy. At the conclusion of the workshop, each person was given the opportunity to perform their own composition, and a vote was held among the workshop participants for Best Song.
Brenda won the vote and claimed the prize - which was to perform her song with Bap and his band that evening at the Grand Opera House, Belfast. This was Brenda's first ever live gig, but she took to live performance like a duck to water and received a standing ovation.
"Banish The Blue Days"
In the months that followed, on the strength of Bap's encouragement, Brenda kept writing songs. Bap was impressed by her songs, and went on to produce her solo album, ‘Banish the Blue Days’ - an interesting Euroceltic fusion of folk, jazz and country, featuring the musical talents of various former Van Morrison band members.
Then, straight after the recording of Banish The Blue Days, Bap was ready to record his next album, "Howl On" and asked Brenda to stay on in the studio to provide harmony vocals.
Then, straight after the recording of Banish The Blue Days, Bap was ready to record his next album, "Howl On" and asked Brenda to stay on in the studio to provide harmony vocals.
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Howl On was immediately released to widespread critical acclaim, and international touring followed, as a result of which Brenda became part of Bap's live band. Her first gig with Bap and the band was at the The Glastonbury Festival. |
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Bap & Brenda - On tour
Playing live in Italy
While working together, Bap and Brenda formed a firm creative partnership and the couple soon married. They settled down in Holywood, N Ireland where alongside her own interests, Brenda worked closely with Bap musically.
As part of Bap's international touring band, Brenda performed with him as bass player and harmony vocalist in many parts of the world including UK, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, USA, Germany, Holland, Spain & Norway.
As part of Bap's international touring band, Brenda performed with him as bass player and harmony vocalist in many parts of the world including UK, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, USA, Germany, Holland, Spain & Norway.
Bap & Brenda - In the studio
As well as harmonising with Bap on stage, Brenda provided vocal harmonies on all Bap's subsequent studio albums, including his 2012 album The Sailor's Revenge (produced by Mark Knopfler) on the song "The Beauty of You" (which had been written for her by Bap); and on "Let's Start Again" she played bass guitar.
Likewise Bap played guitar on and produced Brenda’s album of original songs “Banish The Blue Days”
Brenda also contributed to the Bap's final album "Reckless Heart" which he had recorded immediately prior to his sudden diagnosis with cancer in May 2016 (posthumous release 2017)
Likewise Bap played guitar on and produced Brenda’s album of original songs “Banish The Blue Days”
Brenda also contributed to the Bap's final album "Reckless Heart" which he had recorded immediately prior to his sudden diagnosis with cancer in May 2016 (posthumous release 2017)
Tragedy unfolds
Both Bap and Brenda described their time together as the happiest years of their lives, but sadly it was to come to an abrupt end. On 7 May 2016 they were packed and ready to drive to a gig in Mayo, Ireland when Bap suddenly took ill. He was admitted to hospital that day with severe stomach pains and by the following day had received a cancer diagnosis.
Bap's health deteriorated rapidly, but during the course of his illness he wrote a deeply moving personal blog, which Brenda facilitated and published on his behalf. The blog was read and shared widely throughout all corners of the globe.
Brenda and Bap had been close and mutually supportive partners in life as well as in music, and this continued right up to the end. When Bap was admitted to Marie Curie Hospice, they chose to continue to live together, and shared a room at Marie Curie for the remaining months of his life. And on 1 Nov 2016 Bap passed away with Brenda at his side.
Bap's health deteriorated rapidly, but during the course of his illness he wrote a deeply moving personal blog, which Brenda facilitated and published on his behalf. The blog was read and shared widely throughout all corners of the globe.
Brenda and Bap had been close and mutually supportive partners in life as well as in music, and this continued right up to the end. When Bap was admitted to Marie Curie Hospice, they chose to continue to live together, and shared a room at Marie Curie for the remaining months of his life. And on 1 Nov 2016 Bap passed away with Brenda at his side.
Love Hurts EP
After Bap's passing, Brenda took a step back for a few years in order to take stock and consider her own creative plans. In October 2018, she made her return to public life, announcing the release of a special Love Hurts EP, released on 1 November to mark the second anniversary of his passing. This contained both exclusive archive material and Brenda's performance of Bap's song Be True to Your Heart, which she recorded shortly after he passed away, for a Bap Kennedy tribute show on the BBC. Brenda announced that all proceeds from this release would be donated to Marie Curie, in thanks for their support during the last few months of Bap's life.