Marines Showband Gallery (1964 -
1967)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
Editor's note: Every care
has been taken to present only factual information in this story
based on newspaper articles and photographic
archives. If you can add anything or correct info in this story,
please email us and let us know.
Formed in 1964, the Letterkenny-based Marines Showband was
typical of the era when bands got together locally, playing for
dances in local ballrooms until a life "on the road" beckoned and
each member had to make the decision to "turn professional" and quit
their day jobs. As far as we know, the original 1964 lineup
included: Ann Duncan (vocals), Pat Duskey (guitar), Alfie Scott
(bass), Brendan Duffy (drums), Hughie Doherty (guitar), Fergus
Cleary (sax) and Davy Laird (trumpet). The band was managed by Neil
Crawford.
According to a report in a 1965 publication, the band turned
professional at Easter in (we think) 1964. We also think this may
have been when several of the original members (Brendan, Alfie and
Fergus) left the band and were replaced by George Hetherington
(bass), Colm Callaghan (drums) and Frank McGroary (sax) as of an
article in May, 1965 in the Sligo Champion. Although main ly
playing around Donegal and the North in their earlier days, by late
1965, the band had started to extend their gigging further south
into Sligo, Mayo and Galway.
In November, 1965 a front page
story in the Donegal Democrat reported that the band was "missing"
in Germany.
The story would have a happy ended when another article in December
said it was purely a misunderstanding regarding a contract to tour
in Germany for three months. They would be home for Christmas.
In April, 1966, the band had the
distinction of playing on the same bill as the world famous Everly
Brothers in the Silver Slipper Ballroom in Strandhill.
Based on adverts for dances, we
found the last one featuring the Marines in late summer, 1967. By
that time, Ann had left and John Trotter had been recruited on
trombone. The band was being advertised that summer as "Pat Dusky
and the Marines Showband."
In 1967, a Marines Showband was starting out in Cork as well and a
few years later another Marines Showband (often called the Swinging
Marines) was started in Castleblaney. We are not sure if this band
had anything to do with the previous band from Letterkenny.
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
