The Prodigals Secure Guinness World Record for Longest Band Residency at NYC Pub
Irish punk band The Prodigals have set a new world record for the longest annual residency by a band, celebrating nearly three decades of weekly performances at Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar in Manhattan.
The Irish punk band The Prodigals has officially set a Guinness World Record for the “longest annual residency by a band,” marking nearly 30 years of continuous weekly performances at Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood. The band, known for its blend of traditional Irish music and punk rock, celebrated the achievement on Friday.
Lead singer and accordionist Gregory Grene, the sole remaining original member, expressed his delight at the recognition. “Bizarrely, it’s a wonderful feeling of time continuing and standing still at the same time,” Grene told The Post. The band was formally recognized this week, but the milestone was effectively cemented on St. Patrick’s Day, the 29th anniversary of their first show at the pub.
The Prodigals, whose current lineup includes Grene, drummer Eamon Ellams, guitarist Colin Forhan, and flautist Sean Tierney, perform every Friday and Saturday night at Paddy Reilly's. The process of gathering documentation to prove their residency, such as pay stubs and articles, was described as a tedious yet nostalgic journey.
The band's journey began in 1997 when Grene approached the then-owner of Paddy Reilly's, Steve Duggan, for a performance opportunity. Legendary flute and whistle player Joanie Madden reportedly encouraged Duggan to give Grene, a fellow native of County Cavan, a chance.
Over the years, The Prodigals have gained notable recognition, including playing a yacht party for Christy Turlington, which led to a Page Six mention of a subsequent wild night at the pub. Their music was also featured in the 2008 film “Pride and Glory,” starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell. The pub also hosts an annual fundraiser in memory of Grene’s twin brother, Andrew, who died in the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Despite changes in band members and a change in pub ownership in 2023, Grene noted that the core atmosphere of Paddy Reilly's has remained consistent. He observed that the crowds, while often young and enthusiastic, evoke the same spirit as the audiences from decades past. “It just looks like the bar exactly did 30 years ago,” Grene remarked.
The band currently holds no plans to slow down, with Grene humorously suggesting they might consider retiring after another 30 years. No other bands appear to be close to challenging their record for longevity.
