George Donaldson walks back into the hearts of fans around the world, not with new material, but with the rediscovery of an old performance that feels more alive than ever. His rendition of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” from the Celtic Thunder New Voyage concert has recently taken off online, leaving thousands of viewers misty-eyed and filled with memories.
![I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles (feat. George Donaldson) [Live From Kansas City / 2011]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Video122/v4/1b/76/50/1b7650c2-da0b-c4a5-0eb7-a0657f4f52aa/22UMGIM02592.crop.jpg/1910x1072mv.jpg)
The performance, recorded over a decade ago, features Donaldson in his signature style—steady, grounded, and brimming with sincerity. While the original Proclaimers hit is often delivered with punch and humor, Donaldson’s approach slows the pace, shifts the tone, and transforms the song into something raw and devoted. Each word—“I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more”—feels like a vow made not for show, but for someone he truly loved.
Audiences at the time gave standing ovations. Today, fans are flooding the comment sections with tributes, calling the performance “the most heartfelt version ever recorded” and saying it “feels like a hug from someone you miss.” The clip, originally part of the New Voyage show, has been reposted across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, with many sharing it in memory of the man known as the “Voice of Glasgow.”
Donaldson, born in Glasgow in 1968, didn’t begin his international music career until his late 30s. Before Celtic Thunder, he worked full-time as a decorator while performing at local pubs in the evenings. When he joined the Irish-based group in 2007, audiences quickly connected with his authenticity and fatherly energy. He wasn’t the flashiest member of the cast—but he was the emotional anchor.
Though he passed away in 2014 from a sudden heart attack at just 46 years old, Donaldson’s voice never faded. His recordings continue to circulate among Celtic music fans, and his solo albums still earn new listeners each year. But it’s this revived performance—just one man, one spotlight, and a song about walking 1,000 miles for love—that’s now carrying his legacy forward to a new generation.
No trending filter, no flashy production, just a voice that tells the truth. George Donaldson may no longer be here, but for many, he still walks beside them—mile after mile, in every note he ever sang.
