The Corrs are a multi-platinum Irish rockband hailing from Dundalk, Ireland. The members of the band are four siblings - three sisters and one brother - from the Corr family: Sharon, Caroline, Andrea and Jim Corr. The band rose to prominence in the late 1990s, and have since sold over 60 million albums worldwide, and have had numerous number one singles and albums in Europe and North America.
All of the Corrs were born in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, the children of musicians Gerry and Jean Corr.
In addition to their regular musical duties, they can all play the piano, which was taught to them by their father Gerry Corr.
The Corrs were formed to audition for the 1991 film The Commitments. Jim, Sharon, and Caroline had a small part as musicians, while Andrea got a speaking part as Sharon Rabbitte, sister of the main character. While auditioning for the movie they were noticed by their future manager, John Hughes.
They first achieved Irish success after performing on The Late Late Show, then hosted by Gay Byrne, in 1993, singing their first single "Runaway".
The band was relatively unknown outside of Ireland until 1994 when American ambassador to the country Jean Kennedy Smith invited the group to perform at the 1994 World Cup in Boston. This performance also led to the band becoming the supporting act for Celine Dion on her 1996 world tour.
In 1995, additional musicians Anto Drennan (lead guitar) and Keith Duffy (bass guitar) were brought in to supplement the band's sound. Their positions became permanent, although they are essentially only sidemen and tend not to appear in the band's promo videos nor make any contribution to the songwriting. However, Drennan has been credited as co-producer on some tracks.
According to the Irish Recorded Music Association, The Corrs have sold over 30 million albums worldwide, not including singles. In January of 2006, the Irish Singles Chart released statements claiming that the band had sold closer to 60 million albums worldwide.
From 2004 onwards, with Caroline on 'light duties' or absent, Keith Duffy's brother Jason Duffy joined on percussion, with Kieran Kiely on accordion and keyboards.
In 2005 the band returned with Home, a traditional Irish album celebrating their roots, many of the songs coming from their late mother's songbook.
The Corrs were made Honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for their outstanding contribution to music and charity work. This was met with some discontent by some in the Republic of Ireland as the Order is, obviously, a British award headed by Queen Elizabeth II.
