Seán Potts

Seán Desmond Potts (5 October 1930 – 11 February 2014) was an Irish musician. He was best known for his tin whistle playing and his long history with The Chieftains (from 1962 to 1979).

Early life Potts was born in The Liberties, Dublin, on 5 October 1930. He was a nephew of the fiddle player Tommie Potts.

With The Chieftains Potts was a founding member of The Chieftains. He was great friends with fellow band member and whistle player Paddy Moloney, and they often went around Dublin playing in sessions and gigging during the 1950s. In November 1962, Potts helped form The Chieftains. He briefly left the group in 1968 for a contract with Gael-Linn Records but returned to play for the band soon after. He was primarily a whistle player, although he also played the bodhrán and bones. He played with the band until 1979, when the pressures of the music scene (and touring) prompted him to leave the band for an easier life.

Other bands Before The Chieftains, Potts was an original member of Seán Ó Riada's group "Ceoltoirí Chualann".

Personal life Seán and his wife Bernadett had four children.