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Pat Burke Seven Feature (1963-1975)

Photo Gallery - Band Lineups - Discography - Audio samples - Where Are They Now?

The Story

Pat Burke from Cahir, Co. Tipperary first joined the ranks of the showband era when he joined the Kevin Flynn Band (Orchestra) around 1952. Born in 1927, Pat was already in his mid 20's when he first took to the bandstand.

In 1963, Pat decided to follow a lifelong dream to have his own outfit, "since my days with Kevin Flynn," he told a reporter in 1963, "I have been interested in getting my own combination together." In late 1962, after a discussion with local friend and musician, Tom Hubbart, Pat decided the time was right and set about bringing together his own band. By this time, Pat was 36 years old, which was quite late for the showband era where for the most part it was teens who ruled the bandstand.

The original line-up was Jack Donoghue (17-year-old guitarist), Vincent Bray (18-bass), Bob Johnson (drums), Tom Hubbart (trumpet, sax, guitar), Sean Burke (Pat's brother-sax), Liam McLoughlin (18-trumpet) and Pat Burke (sax). They played their first date in the Oyster Ballroom in Dromkeen on Easter Sunday.

The band was soon playing regularly, but mostly in the southern half of the country where they became popular quickly as Pat had been a well known figure in local musical circles for many years. Also, Pat was always a semi-pro which limited the band's ability to travel long distances. Based on our search of newspaper archives (which are by no means complete and not necessarily the final word) we cannot find any references to the band playing in Mayo or Donegal, or Northern Ireland so strictly speaking we would consider them a regional showband (as opposed to national). We can also not find any indication that the band ever released a record, which is not unusual as many of the bands that did very well during the era were sadly never recorded.

In the late 1960's the band continued to do well, but at times it appears the name was changed to the Pat Burke Showband as is shown on their hand out below. We have found references to the band playing into the 1970's but less and less. Around 1975/6 Pat relocated to County Cork and as far as we can tell, the band ceased playing, although Pat would keep the name going on a part time basis for local gigs around Cork for the next 40 years.   

Pat sadlky passed away on November 20th, 2017 at the age of 90.   

More to come.....

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image

Pat Burke Showband Pat Burke 7 - 1963 First Dance - 1963 Pat Burke - 1965 Pat Burke 7 (RF)
Pat Burke 7 (RF) Pat Burke 7 (RF) Pat Burke 7 (RF) Pat Burke 7 (RF) Pat Burke 7 (RF)
     
Pat Burke 7 (RF) Pat Burke 7 (RF) Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon
         
Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon
Years Leader/sax Guitar Bass Drums Various Sax Trumpet
April
1963
Pat
Burke
Jack
Donoghue
Vincent
Bray
Bob
Johnson
Tom
Hubbart
Sean
Burke
Liam
McLoughlin
               
               
               

Discography

We don't think the band ever released a record.

Audio Clips

We don't think the band ever released a record.

Where Are They Now?  

Pat Burke - RIP: In September, 2017, Pat was still going strong at the age of 90. He had continued to entertain audiences across the Cork area since he moved there in 1976. Pat never gave up his "day job" but was retired for many years, although he was kept busy with his sax. We received sad news on November 27, 2017 from Eamon Burke that Pat sadly passed away on November 20th, 2017. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends across Ireland.     
Jack O'Donoghue: Jack left the band in the mid 1960s and emigrated to England. He continued his musical career there playing with several bands on the Irish dance hall circuit in the UK including the Benn Brothers and Deadwood Stage bands, often backing up many of the Irish bands who travelled to the UK. In 2010 he joined band named S & J Sounds with whom he played until retiring from music in 2015. He continues to live in the UK. We received this info from his daughter Sarah in May, 2022. 
Vincent Bray: Unknown please email us if you have more info.
Bob Johnson: Unknown please email us if you have more info.
Tom Hubbart: Unknown please email us if you have more info.
Sean Burke: Unknown please email us if you have more info.
Liam McLoughlin: Unknown please email us if you have more info.

 


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In Loving Memory of Grant Gallagher: Sept. 21, 1990 - Nov. 18, 2006