Memoirs The Red Seven / Columbia Showband Arklow
With
the rise in Ireland in the late fifties of the ‘Showband’
phenomenon, led mainly by the Clipper Carlton and the Royal
Showband, seven young Arklow men who were already in local dance
bands decided to get in on this new craze and start their own
showband. They called it the ‘Red Seven’, launched it in January
1960 and quickly became very popular in the east Leinster
region. They secured the summer residency in the Tara Ballroom
in the popular Courtown seaside resort in 1960, ‘61 and ‘62.
The Tara was one of the leading ballrooms on the east coast (outside Dublin) at that time. Thousands of holiday makers flocked there every summer. Because of this the Red Seven got great exposure, particularly on the late nights when the hall would be packed for the visiting top showbands.
In
1963 it was decided to change the name to the Columbia Showband
(for commercial reasons) and eventually we went professional in
1964. While we had some great successes throughout Ireland and
Great Britain and made six records, it finished in September
1969 essentially due to the downturn in the ballroom dancing and
showband era. During its ten years in existence there were many
personnel changes. Twenty musicians/singers in all and each had
their own stories to tell.
I was a founder member of the showband and even though I left it in 1965 I decided, ten years ago to set about writing a book giving the history of the band and included a chapter by every person who played in it. Each detailing their own personal experiences, including many interesting stories. Unfortunately two of our colleagues had passed away but I penned a chapter for each in their memory.
The
book I have written is called “Memoirs of the Red Seven/Columbia
Showband Arklow”. It will be launched at a celebration dance in
the Arklow Bay Hotel on Saturday May 21st. The
majority of the twenty members who played with the band will
attend and most will perform on stage for a short period.
Joe Weadick
30th April 2011