Cathy and the Fugitives Story (1971-1973)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
Cathy Heaney had been singing around her native Swinford in Mayo
with her family band called Cathy and the Heroes when
opportunity came knocking in mid 1971. After the demise of the
Niagra showband, former manager John Conway was looking for a new
band to promote and joined with Des Kelly promotions to form Cathy
and the Fugitives.
The original line-up included
Cathy (vocals) and her brother Willie Heaney on rhythm guitar), Mike
Kelly (who would later join the Fairways and marry Sandy Kelly on
bass), Pat Halpin of the Niagra on lead guitar and bandleader, Jimmy
Deacy on drums, Malachy Tiernan on sax and Pat Foley on sax.
Although initially
managed by John Conway, in October 1971 Jimmy Higgins (manager of
the Raindrops) from Galway took over management of the band.
The band was launched in June,
1971 and had a record out to coincide with their debut, "The Old
Fashioned House," which did not sell many copies, but helped
establish the band at least in the western part of the country. By
September, Mike Kelly and Pat Foley had left the band and were
replaced by Tom Ryan of Tuam (RIP) on bass and Alan Carr from Dublin
on trumpet. In October, they released their second single,
Moonlight in Mayo which had been done by several other artists
including the Niagra. In November 1971 they set out of their first
tour of England.
In April 1972 Maurice Henry of the
Freshmen (Ballymena) took over managing the band. The last gig we
can find the band advertised for was in March, 1973. In September,
1974, Cathy married Kevin Murtagh of Swinford,
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
