Nightrunners Gallery ()
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
After nearly 10 years with the Royal Blues Showband,
singer/guitarist Doc Carroll decided it was time to go out on is
own. His last single with the Royal Blues, released in May, 1971 was
called "Night Runners," the same name he chose for his new band, The
Nightrunners. The new band would debut in the famous Pontoon
Ballroom on St. Patrick's Night, 1972. The band was being managed by
Michael Flanagan (a Crossmolina native who lived in Newmarket for
eight years, and moved to Athlone in 1972).
After so many years with the Royal
Blues, Doc was almost a household name and the band took off
quickly, although they were now mainly a country band. In 1973, Doc
and the band released their first single, Little Susie (a Fats
Domino number), and also Doc's first record since 1971's
Nightrunners with the Royal Blues.
The record did not chart, but the
band was doing steady business and for the next two years, all was
well with the Nightrunners. In June 1975, Doc had apparently had
enough and left the band to form another band called the Doc
Carroll All-Stars. The Nightrunners, kept going and promoted
Tony Allen as the band's new lead singer.
The new line-up was announced in
November, 1975, but within a year, the band was gone with Tom Allen
fronting a "new" band called the Sailors.
More to come.....
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