The Commitments characters

Appears from the start

A young music enthusiast from Barrytown who decides that Dublin needs a soul band. Jimmy does not perform; he recruits the musicians, chooses the material, teaches them the history and attitude of soul, and manages rehearsals and bookings with a confidence that often exceeds his experience.

Appears from the start

A guitarist and friend of Jimmy who has been playing in a small local group before Jimmy proposes a more ambitious soul band. Outspan is willing to learn a new style and becomes one of the first members of the Commitments.

Appears from the start

Outspan's friend and fellow member of their earlier group. He takes up bass in the new band and, like the others, must learn to play soul under Jimmy's direction.

First appears in chapter 2

A brash young man with a remarkably forceful singing voice. Jimmy makes him the lead vocalist because his raw sound suits the band, though Deco's vanity and abrasive behavior make cooperation difficult from the beginning.

Also known as Joey the Lips

First appears in chapter 3

An older trumpet player who says he has toured with celebrated American soul performers. He brings experience, musicianship, and a spiritual vocabulary to the inexperienced Dublin group, presenting soul music as both discipline and mission.

First appears in chapter 3

One of the three women Jimmy recruits as backing singers. Confident and striking, Imelda quickly becomes an important part of the band's stage presence as the singers develop their harmonies and choreography.

First appears in chapter 3

A backing singer in the Commitments, recruited alongside Imelda and Bernie. Natalie helps give the band a polished visual and vocal identity while learning its soul repertoire.

First appears in chapter 3

The third of the Commitments' backing singers. Bernie joins Imelda and Natalie in supplying harmonies and coordinated movement, and becomes part of the close social life surrounding rehearsals.

First appears in chapter 3

The band's saxophonist, initially an uncertain player who must develop his technique as the group learns its repertoire. He approaches the instrument more studiously than some of the other recruits.

First appears in chapter 3

A piano player recruited for the new band. Steven's keyboard work helps fill out the Commitments' sound as the loosely assembled beginners become capable of playing together.

First appears in chapter 3

The drummer recruited for the Commitments' early lineup. His equipment and willingness help the first rehearsals take shape while the newly assembled musicians are still learning how to work together.

First appears in chapter 7

An intimidating local man brought in to play drums after Billy leaves. Mickah attacks the instrument with energy and gives the band a harder sound, while his presence makes the already tense group even less predictable.