Owen Frain (far left in this photo of a Boston house party, c. 1946)

and Gene Frain (standing against the doorway).

     Owen Frain's son, Gene, was born in 1926 in Somerville, Massachusetts, and at an early age moved to Watertown. Gene was given a whistle as soon as his fingers were big enough to cover the holes. And later, when his fingers had grown enough to span and cover the holes on a flute, he was given a wooden flute. At age fourteen Gene began to learn the silver flute, but at first everything he did to play good Irish wooden flute was incorrect for his classical music playing. He persisted, and played well enough to perform for his country in the U.S. Army Band for three years. He made 78 recordings with Billy Caples on the piano, in the 1950s, Billy Caples having been a graduate of the Berklee College of music and a great teacher, and a performer for many years in the dance halls of Boston.

     Besides his lovely playing and repertoire, always welcome, Gene Frain has been known throughout his life as a rich source of music and Irish music history in the Boston area, generous with his knowledge and helpful to all-an essential part of the survival of such an oral music tradition.

************************************************************************************

Gene Fain passed away on October 29. 2008

A memorial tribute to him by Susan Gedutis Lindsay may be found at