Mark Sheehan
Sheehan performing in Barcelona (2009)
Sheehan performing in Barcelona (2009)
Background information
Birth nameMark Anthony Sheehan
Born(1976-10-29)29 October 1976
OriginThe Liberties, Dublin, Ireland
Died14 April 2023(2023-04-14) (aged 46)
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • composer
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1996–2023
LabelsSony Music Entertainment
Formerly of
Spouse(s)Rina Sheehan

Mark Anthony Sheehan (29 October 1976 – 14 April 2023) was an Irish musician. From 1996 to 2001, he was a member of the boy band Mytown.[1] In 2001, he co-founded alternative rock band The Script.[2][3] He played lead guitar for the band.[4]

Early life

Sheehan was born in Mount Brown in The Liberties area of Dublin to Rachel and Gerald Sheehan.[5] His father died when Sheehan was 14.[6]

Career

Sheehan began his career as a dancer. He taught hip-hop moves at Dublin's Digges Lane performing arts centre.[citation needed]

Sheehan was best friends with Danny O'Donoghue since the age of 12.[7][8] Sheehan and O'Donoghue were members of a boy band called Mytown, which was formed in 1996. Striking up a songwriting and production partnership, they were invited to Canada to collaborate with some of their heroes.[9] Both Sheehan and O'Donoghue were involved in the production of two tracks featured on the Peter André album The Long Road Back under the name M.A.D Notes[10] before pursuing their own careers as musicians.[9] They worked as producers in Los Angeles[8] before moving back to Dublin, where they recruited drummer Glen Power to join their new band the Script. The band was formed in 2001 in Dublin.[2][3]

The Script released their debut single "We Cry" on 25 April 2008.[11] The single peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.[12] The Script's eponymous debut album was released on 8 August 2008.[13] The album debuted at the number one spot on the UK's album charts.[14] The album also entered the Irish Albums Chart at number one, holding the top spot for five weeks.[15]

The band's second single, "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", was released on 15 September 2008.[16] The single reached number 2 in Ireland, Denmark, and the UK.[17] The band's single "Breakeven" was released in the United States in September of 2009. It reached number one on Billboard's Adult Pop chart.[18]

The Script's next three albums, Science & Faith (2010), #3 (2012) and No Sound Without Silence (2014), all topped the album charts in Ireland and the UK, while Science & Faith reached number two in Australia[19] and number three in the United States.[20][21]

As of 2019, the band had won three Meteor Ireland Music Awards and two World Music Awards, had received two Brit Award nominations, and had sold over 20 million albums worldwide.[22]

The band toured in 2022. Sheehan missed the U.S. leg of the tour. Danny O'Donoghue later attributed Sheehan's absence to family commitments.[23]

Personal life and death

Sheehan was married to Rina Sheehan, and they had three children.[5][24]

Sheehan died in hospital on 14 April 2023 at the age of 46 following a brief, undisclosed illness.[25][26][27]

References

  1. ^ O'Reilly, Gem (14 April 2023). "The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan dies aged 46". BBC.
  2. ^ a b "The Script Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "The Script – The Script (album review)". Sputnikmusic. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  4. ^ "The Script lead guitarist Mark Sheehan dies at 46 following 'brief illness'". EW.com.
  5. ^ a b Egan, Barry; Masterson, Eugene; Morgan, Gareth (14 April 2023). "'Shock and sadness' – Script guitarist Mark Sheehan dies in hospital". Irish Independent.
  6. ^ "Mark Sheehan obituary". The Guardian. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  7. ^ Day, Elizabeth (27 May 2012). "Danny O'Donoghue: 'I idolised Dad. I'd bring home my songs to him like paychecks'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  8. ^ a b "The Script". The Argus. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  9. ^ a b "The Script – Music Biography, Credits and Discography : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  10. ^ M.A.D Notes Discography at Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved on 21 November 2012.
  11. ^ "RCA Label Group (UK) / News / The Script – We Cry the Single of the Week". Rcalabelgroup.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 March 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  12. ^ "The Script – We Cry – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  13. ^ "Oh Danny boy! Script revel in chart success". The Independent. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  14. ^ Entertainment | The Script crown UK album chart. BBC News (17 August 2008). Retrieved on 3 March 2014.
  15. ^ "The Script – The Script – Music Charts". Acharts.us. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  16. ^ "The Script". Thescriptmusic.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  17. ^ "The Script, Perry In Charge On U.K. Charts". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  18. ^ "LV MUSIC: The Script speaks: The surprise success of 'Breakeven' and story behind 'For the First Time"". mccall.com. 28 May 2011.
  19. ^ "SCIENCE & FAITH". ACharts. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  20. ^ The Script score fresh chart success with new album. BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2012
  21. ^ Decemberists' 'King Is Dead' Is No. 1 on Billboard 200. Billboard. Retrieved 27 April 2012
  22. ^ "THE SCRIPT TIL KØBENHAVN!". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  23. ^ "The Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue breaks silence on death of Mark Sheehan". The Independent. 2 June 2023.
  24. ^ "The Script guitarist and co-founder Mark Sheehan dies after 'brief illness'". ITV News. ITV. 14 April 2023.
  25. ^ Parkel, Inga (14 April 2023). "Mark Sheehan death: The Script guitarist and co-founder dies aged 46". The Independent.
  26. ^ "Mark Sheehan: The Script guitarist and co-founder dies at the age of 46". Sky News. Sky. 14 April 2023.
  27. ^ "Mark Sheehan, Guitarist for The Script, Dies at 46". The Hollywood Reporter. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.

External links

The Script
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