Flames
(1969)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
The Flames are really notable mostly because they featured former
Gents lead singer, Gene Chetty but also for almost as much
notoriety, they were only on the road for a matter of months in
1969.
According to report in newspaper, Gene left the Gents as they
weren't "busy" enough for him. They hired a singer named Gary and
continued on the road for a short time. Meanwhile Gene and guitarist
Pete Cresswell, formed a new band and were being managed by Sammy
Smyth. The band included: Billy McKittrick (keyboards), Hugo Andrews (sax),
Davy Quinn (bass), Gene Chetty (vocals), Gerry McIlduff (drums) and
Pete Cresswell (guitar). Based in Enniskillen, the band debuted on
Easter Sunday.
By June, newspapers were heralding the band's success, "After only
six weeks on the road, the Flames are burning brightly." However, by
the end of July, Gene had left the band to front the Lions Showband
sharing vocals with Tony Hughes. This too ended in disaster as the
Lions broke up within a few months as well.
More to come.....
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