Brideside Serenaders (1937-1947)
Orchestra (1948-1961)
Showband (1961-1966)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
Our thanks to Jim Prendergast for additional info supplied in May,
2020
Jim has told us the band first started in September, 1937 with their
first gig in the Lisnabrin Hall just outside their hometown of
Tallow, Co. Waterford near the border with County Cork. The original
line-up included: Jerry Goggin (accordion), Charlotte Long (piano),
Tom Fitzgerald (accordion), Victor Acres (accordion), Michael
Fitzgerald, Tom Sheehan (drums), and Frank Prendergast (trumpet).
After a year or so it was decided to add some brass so Dave Doyle
was asked to join on alto sax and later Billy Hogan from Lismore on
tenor sax and Pete Gillen from Lismore on alto sax. Mick Landers
from Lismore replaced Tommy Sheehan on drums, and Claudette Colbert
replaced Charlotte Long on piano.
The line up at this time was Mick Landers (drums), Dave Doyle, Billy
Hogan, and Pete Gillen on three saxes, Frank Prendergast on trumpet
and
Claudette Colbert on piano. During this period Dave Doyle looked after the bookings for the band.
In 1943 (the first dance advert
we could find), they were known as the Brideside Serenaders.
By 1951, they would go under the name "Brideside
Serenaders Dance Orchestra." In the
1950's the line-up also included Jim and Frank Prendergast. The band
was very popular right across the whole of Munster from Waterford to
Cork.
Adverts in late 1940's also
mentioned Steve Sheehan, who along with Dave also played sax. In a
1951 advert wishing their fans a "happy
Christmas," we found our first listing of the six piece line-up.
Dave Doyle (leader and sax), Mick Landers (drums), Claudette Colbert
(keyboards), Billy Hogan (sax), Pete Gillan (sax) and Frank
Prendergast (trumpet).
In 1954, the band expanded to a
seven piece for the first time adding Paddy Geary on "bass fiddle"
as Pete Gillen moved to Canada.
In newspaper adverts they singled out Claudette as the "Queen of the
Ivories." However, by 1957 Claudette left the band,
Jim tells us, "due to the closure of Lismore Railway station as her
father was the station master there." At that point Jim replaced her
on the piano.
This would be followed by the
departure of Mick Landers and Paddy Geary switched to the drums,
while his cousin, Johnny Geary took over on the bass. At the end of
1960, it appears Dave Doyle left the road and the band and Frank
Walsh from Lismore became their new manager.
The first mention of the Bridesiders' Showband we can find was in early 1961.
It would appear that they we playing as the "relief
band" in the Arch Ballroom in Tallow, their hometown at least for a
time. Jim
Prendergast was still a member of the band, having joined them at
age 15.
In January, 1963, the band was a
six piece as David Doyle had packed it in. Ned O'Brien would join to
play sax and sing making them a seven piece once gain. The band was
still being managed by Frank Walsh.
By 1964, the band's lineup was:
Paddy Geary (drums), Joe Prendergast (Jim's brother- bass and
vocals), Jim Prendergast (lead guitar and vocals), Don O'Brien
(rhythm guitar), Frank Prendergast (trumpet), Billy Hogan (sax) and
Pete Gillen (sax). A year later, Joe would leave and Billy moved
over to play bass. .
Based in Tallow, Co. Waterford they still appeared to be a
regional band, playing mostly in the south of the country, although
they did play occasionally in the West. By the time they changed
names, they were being managed by Frank Walsh from Cappoquin, Co.
Waterford. They would feature country, Dixieland and trad.
Sadly, Ned O'Brien would pass away
suddenly in 1963, and he was replaced by Don O'Brien in 1964.
Jim told us, "while playing in The Arcadia Ballroom Cork in March 1966 I was
approached by Hugh Hardy who was The Victors Manager, to
join the Victors. My brother Joe and myself joined and I was with
them for 5 years.
The Bridesiders broke up shortly after 1966 and
the last advert
for the Bridesiders we can find is in February, 1966.
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
