Bankers Showband
(1966-1968)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
As far as we can tell from newspaper advertisements, Derry's Bankers
Showband made its debut in late 1966. A report in the Western People
newspaper said the band had "made history" flying the previous week
from Belfast to Limerick to play a gig. We can't confirm that
although they did play in Belfast and the Oyster Ballroom in Dromkeen the next night. A few weeks later they were in the Silver
Slipper Ballroom in Strandhill, Co. Sligo where they were advertised
as "ex-Barristers Showband." Charlie "Chuck" McGuigan joined the
Barristers in 1965 as far as we can tell before they "became" the
Bankers. Prior to that he did guest spots in theatres and was billed
as "Ireland's Jim Reeves."
On June 9th, 1967 he band actually
played relief to The Who during their once off date in Ireland in
the Golden Slipper, McGilligan,
In March 1968, the band released
the single, "Lovely Leenan Bay" on the EMI label. Lead vocals were
handle by Chuck McGuigan, their lead singer. Eddie Davis was the
band's manager by 1967 but by May, 1968 their manager was Bill
Davis?.
By August 1968 keyboardist Ciaran
McDonald from Strabane had left to join the New Drifters after they
split forming the Times Showband.
A report in the Kerryman in
October, 1968 reported that the band had split from manager, Eddie
Davis. Additionally this was the last time we found the band
mentioned in Irish newspapers.
A report in the Donegal News
in August 1970 reported that Chuck had been with a group called
Tumbleweeds which had recently disbanded. A year later is was
reported that Chuck was singing with a group called the Virginians
in Derry which also featured Pat McCrossan.
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
