James Galway was taught to play the flute by an uncle and he went on to
join the Belfast Youth Orchestra. He attended the Royal College of
Music, the Guildhall School of Music and the Paris Conservatory. He was
the principal flute of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for six years
before beginning a career as a solo musician. In 1978 Galway and the
National Philharmonic Orchestra had a number three hit in the UK
singles chart with the beautiful "Annie's Song", which brought him to
the attention of a much wider audience. He was knighted in 2001.
He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1977 and Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to music.
Father of sons, Stephen Galway (son of Claire LeBasterd); and Patrick Galway (son of Annie Renggli); and twin daughters, Charlotte Galway and Jennifer Galway (daughters of Annie Renggli) who were born in August 1974.