16th August, 2010...Death of Pat Roper on
the United States (Spotlights)
We
received emails today from Margaret Barry and Pat O'Hara, both
telling us the sad new that Pat Roper passed away over the
weekend in his home in Long Island, New York. Pat's career
included stints with Bernie and the Tartans and his most famous
role as the lead singer with the Spotlights. We will publish
more info as it becomes available. Our sincere sympathies go out
to Pat's family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic.
17th July, 2010...Death of Martin Phelan
(Miami and Sands Showbands)
Former
Sands' guitarist, Bobby Kelly, emailed us today to tell us the
sad news that Martin Phelan, his band mate from the Sands
showband, passed away at 3 a.m. this morning after a long
illness. Sax player, Martin, started his career in 1961 with the
Miami Showband. After six years with one of the top bands in the
country, he was one of the four members of the Miami who broke
away in 1967 to form the Sands Showband. Martin was one of the
last of the original members of the band to leave the Sands in
1973. He went to Canada, but returned to Ireland and purchased a
hotel in Dublin which he ran for a time but eventual sold. In
recent years he had been performing with wedding band, Hi
Society. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife,
Nuala, and children Tagart, Emma, Leigh,
and Martin-Bryce.
21st June, 2010...Death of John Martyn (Marmac
Amplifiers)
We learned from community
member Dick Lynott, that John Martyn, founder of Marmac, sadly
passed away on June 11, 2010 in Sligo. John, along with partner
Joe O'Neill and tech guru Michael O'Hara formed Marmac in Sligo
and turned out a series of amplifiers and speakers that powered
much of the showband era, especially in the early days. The
Marmac Super 60 and 120 amps, along with their "crazy boxes"
were a staple of the ballroom scene for many years. Formerly
located in Union Place in Sligo, Marmac eventually went out of
the amplifier business and moved into cable TV before
disappearing. John worked for many years as a technician for RTE
as well. Although he was not a musician himself, John had a
profound effect on the showband era in Ireland. Our sincere
sympathies go out to John's family and friends.
15th June, 2010....Death of Mickey O'Neill
(Capitol, Big Eight and many more)
We
received a very sad email today from Geraldine Swarbrigg telling
us of the death of Mickey O'Neill on June 14th in Las Vegas. Mickey, from Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, was one of the top drummers on the
showband scene until he left Ireland for Las Vegas in 1983 with
the Big 8. During his career he played with the Manhattan
Showband, The Capitol, Times, The Swarbriggs, Paddy Cole's
Superstars and finally, The Big 8. As reported elsewhere on the
site, Mickey continued to play with Brendan and
other lads from the Big 8 until his death. Our sincere
sympathies go out to Mickey's family, friends and fans both here
and in the United States. We received a follow up email from
Mickey's partner Mary Schwartz with a link to more info about
Mickey's death. He underwent gallbladder surgery recently and
died in hospital. Mickey had lost his son, Michael, in a car
accident in 2005 aged 21. He is survived by sons, Alan and Mark,
sister, Mary, brothers Yank, Gregory and Johnny, and long time
partner Mary Schwartz.
11th May, 2010...Death of Merv Allen
(Jimmy Johnston Showband)
We
received a sad email today from Elaine Allen, daughter of Merv
Allen of the Jimmy Johnston Showband that Merv passed away May
11th, 2010. He took a nap after dinner and passed away in his
sleep at age 72. Merv also played with the High Seas Showband,
Students Showband and was also with the famous Clipper Carlton,
whom he joined in 1969 near the end of their history and before
they reformed in the mid 80's. Elaine has been a generous
contributor to the site in the past, sending us photos of her
Dad and some of his bands. We extend our sincere sympathies to
her and the rest of Merv's family and friends around Ireland.
30th April, 2010...Death of Gerry Ryan (RTE)
The
Irish entertainment industry was shocked and saddened today when
news of RTE personality Gerry Ryan's death was announced. Gerry
was found dead in his apartment at 1:00 p.m. He was just 53
years old. Although Gerry was
not part of the showband scene, through his radio and TV shows,
he played a vital role in promoting many of the bands featured
on these pages. He joined the staff of RTE Radio 2 and was the
host of Non-Stop Pop, the 1980's show which featured Irish bands
alongside international acts. He is survived by his wife and
five children. Our sincere sympathies are extended to Gerry's
family, friends and many fans around Ireland.
20th March, 2010...Deaths of Pete Creighton
and Nancy Clince
We received an email from Alec
Clince of Dublin telling us his Mother, Nancy Clince who played
keyboards with the Johnny Butler Orchestra and Kevin
Doherty Band passed away on March 16, 2010 at the age of 87
after a short illness. Our sincere sympathies are extended to
Alec, his family and Nancy's friends across the country.
We also received an anonymous email
informing us of the passing of Pete Creighton, former guitarist
with the Johnny Flynn Showband. From Tuam, Co. Galway, Pete
passed away after a short illness. Our sincere sympathies are
extended to his family and friends.
14th March, 2010...Glad to support the
Irish Mail on Sunday
Several
months ago, the Irish Mail newspaper contacted us about using
some of our photos on an upcoming CD they were planning. Last
Sunday, the Irish Mail on Sunday finally issued the free CD of
Showband Hits along with the paper. Along with fifteen
recordings, the CD cover included several photos donated by the
site. We appreciate the chance to help promote the artists of
the showband era (although most of the songs featured are
actually country hits from the seventies). We'd also like to
thank the Irish Mail for giving the site a mention on the cover
and the CD itself. Editor's note: Interestingly, Frankie
McBride's photo appears on the cover, although no track is
credited to the Polka Dots singer.
12th March, 2010...Death of Gerry Davis (Hi-Lows)
Oliver Casserly wrote to tell
us of the sad passing of Gerry Davis of the Hi-Lows on March
12th. Gerry was a bass player as well as singer and lived in
Longford. He was 68 when he passed away. Our sympathies are
extended to Gerry's family and friends. Unfortunately, we have
no photo of Gerry at this time.
21st February, 2010...Guide To Ireland's
Top Hit Records by Eddie Kelly
A
new book has just been released by Eddie Kelly, former presenter
of The Showband Show on Shannonside Northern Sound Radio. The
Complete Guide To Ireland's Top Ten Hits, 1954-1979 is
available now. The 567 page Guide lists all the Top Ten hits of
the period, biographies of the artists who were responsible for
the recordings plus an alphabetical a to z listing of the song
titles. The Guide also includes interesting, informative and
factual information on the records and artists including the
Number One Hits 1959 – 1979, the Top Ten Records of the Years
1959 through to 1979 and a Roll of Honour detailing the many
artists who have departed this life including date of death etc.
An eight page colour section featuring a selection of historical
picture sleeves from the period is also included in the book.
The guide also include many picture sleeves of the era.
13th February, 2010.....Death of Sean
Thompson (Everglades)
Anthony
Loughman, son of the late Tony Loughman, emailed us today to let
us know that Sean Thompson, formerly the lead singer with the
Everglades, passed away today. Our sincere sympathies go out to
Sean's
family, friends and fans around the country.
14th January, 2010.....Death of Dave
Kearney (Smokey Mountain Ramblers & Rocky Tops)
Francie Lenehan, formerly of the Ranchers, Cotton Mill Boys and Rocky Tops,
among others, told us today that Dave Kearny, the original
guitarist with the Smokey Mountains
Ramblers has passed away. We also received an email from his
son-in-law, Tom Worrall, informing us of Dave's death in Canada
where he had lived for the last thirty years after emigrating in
the early 80's. Dave, from Dublin, was originally a member of
beat group, The Movement before joining the showband ranks.
After he left the Smokeys, he was with the Rocky Tops and also spent some time in Sandie
Jones Band. Our sincere sympathies go out to Dave's family and
friends both in his native Ireland and Canada.
We
received emails today from Margaret Barry and Pat O'Hara, both
telling us the sad new that Pat Roper passed away over the
weekend in his home in Long Island, New York. Pat's career
included stints with Bernie and the Tartans and his most famous
role as the lead singer with the Spotlights. We will publish
more info as it becomes available. Our sincere sympathies go out
to Pat's family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic.
Former
Sands' guitarist, Bobby Kelly, emailed us today to tell us the
sad news that Martin Phelan, his band mate from the Sands
showband, passed away at 3 a.m. this morning after a long
illness. Sax player, Martin, started his career in 1961 with the
Miami Showband. After six years with one of the top bands in the
country, he was one of the four members of the Miami who broke
away in 1967 to form the Sands Showband. Martin was one of the
last of the original members of the band to leave the Sands in
1973. He went to Canada, but returned to Ireland and purchased a
hotel in Dublin which he ran for a time but eventual sold. In
recent years he had been performing with wedding band, Hi
Society. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife,
We
received a very sad email today from Geraldine Swarbrigg telling
us of the death of Mickey O'Neill on June 14th in Las Vegas. Mickey, from Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, was one of the top drummers on the
showband scene until he left Ireland for Las Vegas in 1983 with
the Big 8. During his career he played with the Manhattan
Showband, The Capitol, Times, The Swarbriggs, Paddy Cole's
Superstars and finally, The Big 8. As reported elsewhere on the
site, Mickey continued to play with Brendan and
other lads from the Big 8 until his death. Our sincere
sympathies go out to Mickey's family, friends and fans both here
and in the United States. We received a follow up email from
Mickey's partner Mary Schwartz with a link to more info about
Mickey's death. He underwent gallbladder surgery recently and
died in hospital. Mickey had lost his son, Michael, in a car
accident in 2005 aged 21. He is survived by sons, Alan and Mark,
sister, Mary, brothers Yank, Gregory and Johnny, and long time
partner Mary Schwartz. 
We
received a sad email today from Elaine Allen, daughter of Merv
Allen of the Jimmy Johnston Showband that Merv passed away May
11th, 2010. He took a nap after dinner and passed away in his
sleep at age 72. Merv also played with the High Seas Showband,
Students Showband and was also with the famous Clipper Carlton,
whom he joined in 1969 near the end of their history and before
they reformed in the mid 80's. Elaine has been a generous
contributor to the site in the past, sending us photos of her
Dad and some of his bands. We extend our sincere sympathies to
her and the rest of Merv's family and friends around Ireland. 
The
Irish entertainment industry was shocked and saddened today when
news of RTE personality Gerry Ryan's death was announced. Gerry
was found dead in his apartment at 1:00 p.m. He was just 53
years old. Although Gerry was
not part of the showband scene, through his radio and TV shows,
he played a vital role in promoting many of the bands featured
on these pages. He joined the staff of RTE Radio 2 and was the
host of Non-Stop Pop, the 1980's show which featured Irish bands
alongside international acts. He is survived by his wife and
five children. Our sincere sympathies are extended to Gerry's
family, friends and many fans around Ireland. 
Several
months ago, the Irish Mail newspaper contacted us about using
some of our photos on an upcoming CD they were planning. Last
Sunday, the Irish Mail on Sunday finally issued the free CD of
Showband Hits along with the paper. Along with fifteen
recordings, the CD cover included several photos donated by the
site. We appreciate the chance to help promote the artists of
the showband era (although most of the songs featured are
actually country hits from the seventies). We'd also like to
thank the Irish Mail for giving the site a mention on the cover
and the CD itself. Editor's note: Interestingly, Frankie
McBride's photo appears on the cover, although no track is
credited to the Polka Dots singer. 
A
new book has just been released by Eddie Kelly, former presenter
of The Showband Show on Shannonside Northern Sound Radio. The
Complete Guide To Ireland's Top Ten Hits, 1954-1979 is
available now. The 567 page Guide 
Anthony
Loughman, son of the late Tony Loughman, emailed us today to let
us know that Sean Thompson, formerly the lead singer with the
Everglades, passed away today. Our sincere sympathies go out to
Sean's