Dreams Feature (1968 - 197?)

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

The Story

The Dreams started life in July, 1968 and played their first gig in the Television Club in Dublin on July 8th. They were fronted by John Farrell who had previously been lead singer with The Movement, one of the most popular groups on the Dublin beat group scene for several years. As was the custom at the time, any beat group musician or singer with talent and a following was soon drafted into the world of the showbands. Tony Kenny, Bobby Kelly and Fran Byrne (of the Sands), Fran O'Toole and Paul Ashford (of the Miami), Mick Roche (of the Arrows) and John, along with many many more all came from the same small group of musicians in Dublin.

Managed by Jim Hand, one of the shrewdest promoters in the Irish entertainment industry, the band was launched in a flurry of excitement at a time when the "showbands" were undergoing a major identity crisis and the impending split between pop and country had began. The band was an answer to the aging and "tired" showband scene which had enjoyed many years of success under the guidance of stars like Dickie Rock and Brendan Bowyer, but 1968 saw a multitude of changes of the scene with bands like the Dreams presenting a new younger, more exciting image for punters.

The original Dreams lineup included two members of the Debonaires - bandleader Shay O'Donoghue (keyboards) and Joe Geoghegan (sax) along with group players: Eric Bell (previously with Van Morrison's Them and Shades of Blue and soon to be Thin Lizzy guitarist), Mark McCormack (Duffy's Circus trumpeter), Jim Hudson (formerly bass player with King Bees), and Dougie McIlwaine (drummer formerly with the Mad Lads).

John, from Cabra in Dublin, was one of eleven children. In an article in Spotlight in 1969, he spoke about his desire to be in a band, "I always wanted to sing with a big band and I think living on the same road in Cabra as Dickie Rock was a great inspiration." The band's first single was "I'll See You There" which established the band on the dance circuit as well as reaching number 14 in the Irish Charts. The B side was Shay's original, A Boy Needs A Girl. Although originally a seven piece, they added former Miami member, Pat McCarthy on trombone in January, 1969, expanding to an eight piece.

In late 1968, the band appeared on the German TV Show, "4,3,2,1." Manager Jim Hand, announced the band was making a play for success on the continent.

Their next single was "Baby, I'm Your Man," formerly a hit for Dickie Rock and again, written by Shay O'Donoghue, it just made it into the top twenty. After releasing "Sweeter Than Sugar" which failed to chart, they hit the jackpot with "The Casatchok," a continental dance craze which was sweeping Europe at the time. The disc reached number five in the Irish charts and firmly establish The Dreams as one of the top pop bands of the late sixties and early 70's.

In the January 1st, 1970 issue of Spotlight, Pat Egan revealed that Eric Bell would be leaving the Dreams to form a group within a few weeks. Of course, Eric left to form the band that would become Thin Lizzy. He was replaced by Damien McKerr. The band brought out another single, Don't Throw Your Love Away, also written by Shay, but again the single failed to chart.

In August 1970, the band underwent a major upheaval when John Farrell and a few other members broke away to form a new band called "Freedom." The reason for the new band was explained by John in a 1970 Spotlight article, "we'll be much more progressive, now than we were in the Dreams. We'll be doing stuff by Chicago and The Band and a lot of stuff by Van Morrison." Unfortunately, Freedom started off slowly and then fizzled out altogether. The band was off the road by June, 1971. At that time, only member Mark McCormack found worked with Frankie Carroll's Ranchers.

The move left The Dreams with the task of rebuilding the band and they did so by adding lead singer, Eric Murray, to the ranks. Eric, from Dublin, had previously sang on the group scene with The Strangers, Hot Air Machine, and the Pebbles, among others. The new band debuted on Friday, September 4th, 1970 in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. The band also included several new members including Pat Flahive (bass), Alan Thunder (also from Hot Air Machine on drums) and Jackie Aherne from Cork on sax. In May, 1971, Shay would leave to take a job as the Musical Director at the Old Sheiling. In the August 19, 1971 issue of Spotlight Pat Egan reported that former Creature, Liam McKenna had left Gypsy Rock to join the Dreams, so we assume Damien McKerr joined Freedom.

Just three months later, in the November 11, 1971 issue of Spotlight, it was reported that the band had changed its lineup and name. The band would be known as the Dreams Rock N' Roll Circus and the new lead singer was Jimmy Fanning. The rest of the lineup included Liam McKenna (we assume on bass), Austin "Perky" Boggins (guitar), Victor McCullough (steel guitar), Kevin McAlea (from the Real McCoy - keyboards), and Willie Behan (Gypsy Rock - drums).      

More to come.....

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image

Discography

Singles:

I'll See You There / A Boy Needs A Girl - #14 Irish Charts
Dolphin Records - DOS.12 - September, 1968
Baby, I'm Your Man / Softly, Softly - #15 Irish Charts
Dolphin Records - DOS.25 - March, 1969
Sweeter Than Sugar / Dance In The Light of the Sun
Dolphin Records - DOS.33 - May, 1969
The Casatchok / Don't You Ask Me - #5 Irish Charts
Dolphin Records - DOS.40 - June, 1969
Don't Throw Your Love Away / All Alone Am I
Dolphin Records - DOS.57 - May, 1970
Julie (Where Has Your Love Gone) / Let The Earth be Free
Dolphin Records - DOS.57 - December, 1970

Album:

Best of The Dreams
Dolphin Records - DOLB.7002 - 1970

Audio Clips (Coming Soon)

Where Are They Now?  

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