Despite psoriasis crippling his hands, at the age of 44, he went on to become a singer-songwriter who wrote the song "Aon Focal Eile" which gained national attention in 1996.

[2] Prior to his musical career, Kavanagh worked a number of jobs, such as lorry driver, ornamental fountain maker,[3] and chef.

[6] Kavanagh's stage costume, featuring gloves and a hat, were initially chosen to cover his psoriasis but became part of his trademark look.

[4] By 1996 Kavanagh had established himself as a successful cabaret performer in the southeast of Ireland, selling out small venues and playing support to Niall Tóibín.

[4] Kavanagh, along with his managers Tommy and Jimmy Swarbrigg[3] decided to promote his own version of the song at this point, which he had previously disregarded as not one of his best.

On 9 February 2011, while being interviewed on the Sue Nunn Programme on KCLR Radio, Kavanagh announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

[13] However, Kavanagh's defenders argue that his "stage antics and two-fingered salute to establishment norms" are consistent with the punk ethos.