Joseph Ronald "Ronnie" Drew (Irish: Ránall Ó Draoi IPA: [ˈɾˠaːnəl̪ˠ oː dɾˠiː]) (16 September 1934 – 16 August 2008) was an Irish singer, folk musician and actor who achieved international fame during a fifty-year career recording with The Dubliners. 　　He is most recognised for his lead vocals on the single "Seven Drunken Nights" and "The Irish Rover" both charting in the UK top 10 and then performed on TOTP. He was recognisable for his long beard and his voice, which was once described by Nathan Joseph as being "like the sound of coal being crushed under a door". 　　Ronnie Drew was born in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin in 1934. 　　Ironically, and although he was so intimately associated with being "a Dubliner", he would somewhat tongue-in-cheek say that "I was born and grew up in Dún Laoghaire, and no true Dubliner would accept that at all!",[6] a quip that Andy Irvine relayed in his song "O'Donoghue's". 　　Drew was educated at CBS Eblana and used to "mitch" and cycle up to Leopardstown Racecourse. Despite his aversion to education, he was considered the most intelligent in his class by schoolfriend and future Irish film censor, Sheamus Smith. 　　Drew had also sung as a boy soprano before his voice broke.