[1] He was noted for his collaborations with Steve Earle, Van Morrison, Shane MacGowan[1] and Mark Knopfler,[2] as well as for writing the song "Moonlight Kiss" which was on the soundtrack for the film Serendipity.

[3] Kennedy was in the rock band Energy Orchard[4] for many years and also recorded a number of well-received solo albums including Domestic Blues, The Big Picture, The Sailor's Revenge, Let's Start Again and Reckless Heart.

[4] During his solo career, Kennedy performed, wrote and recorded songs with artists such as Steve Earle (on Domestic Blues), Van Morrison (on The Big Picture) and Mark Knopfler (on The Sailor's Revenge).

[4] In 1987, after moving to London, Kennedy formed the band Energy Orchard, for whom he was the rhythm guitarist, lead singer and primary songwriter.

[11] The band also toured extensively throughout the UK, Europe and America, including several support slots with Van Morrison, Steve Earle and Jimmy Barnes.

[4] The album also features slide guitar player Jerry Douglas, guitarist Peter Rowan and singer Nanci Griffith amongst its session musicians.

[17] After the release of Domestic Blues, Kennedy toured with Steve Earle[4] alongside other artists on the E-Squared label, including Cheri Knight and The V-Roys.

[21][22] Kennedy's ballad "Moonlight Kiss" from the album was later used in the soundtrack for hit Hollywood movie Serendipity (starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale).

[4] Following the release of Lonely Street, Kennedy spent several years touring,[23][24] including performances with Shane MacGowan of The Pogues and Pete Doherty of The Libertines,[23] and at the respected Half Moon, Putney,[24] which also regularly held the Rolling Stones.

[1] This led to Kennedy working as the support artist and special guest for Knopfler's tours of the US and Europe, including a five night stint at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Howl On was a look back at the Space Race of the late 1960s, with Kennedy examining the lives and backgrounds of the astronauts and scientists who worked on the Apollo program.

[26] The only cover on the album,[31] Hey Joe was also chosen as a nod to this time period, as it had been the last song performed by Jimi Hendrix at the Woodstock Festival.

[32] The song also features guest guitarist Henry McCullough,[26] who was, as a member of Joe Cocker's band, the only Irishman to play at Woodstock.

[37] The album features several members of Knopfler's touring band, such as Glenn Worf, Guy Fletcher, John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick and Richard Bennett.

[4] The Sailor's Revenge was released in 2012 on Proper Records and received widespread critical acclaim internationally[38][39] including No 1 – Best of 2012 in influential American magazine No Depression[40] where it was described as "truly a masterpiece from a man who is finally comfortable in his place in the world – The Celtic Blood on the Tracks".

[45] The album had a full international release on CD and vinyl formats by Proper Records,[47] and has received widespread critical acclaim including a 5 star review from No Depression.

[4] Like Let's Start Again, Reckless Heart was recorded in Northern Ireland and used several musicians from Kennedy's live band, including his wife Brenda.

[50] The album was released posthumously by Kennedy's label Lonely Street Discs, in conjunction with Last Chance Records in the US and by at the Helm in the UK and internationally.