All the latest news for 2024 on the site and the scene.....

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6th December, 2024...Death of Dickie Rock (Miami, Dickie's Band, Solo)

Very sad news today that one of the last of the showband greats, Dickie Rock, has passed away aged 88. Born in Cabra West, Dickie started life as an apprentice welder but was soon bitten by the singing bug and between 1961 and 1962 sang with 4 different Dublin groups before landing a job with the new Miami Showband in 1962. His first hit single was the number One, There's Always Me. After a decade of success and hit singles Dickie left the Miami and formed Dickie's Band as he continued to enjoy massive success. As the showband era ended, Dickie continued to enjoy success as a solo artist. Along with the late Brendan Bowyer, Dickie was one of the top vocalists of his time. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans across Ireland and the rest of the world.

13th November, 2024...Death of Johnny Duhan (Granny's Intentions)

Sad news today from that Johnny Duhan, originally from Limerick, but more recently he settled in Barna, Co. Galway has passed away at the age of 74. He sadly drowned while swimming in the sea off the coast of Galway. Although not really a member of the showband family he started his career with Limerick band Granny's Intentions in 1967 at a time when the beat groups were beginning to challenge the popularity of the showbands and members started making the move to the ballroom scene. For many years he gained fame as a songwriter, penning the hit, The Voyage," which was made especially popular by Christy Moore. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his spouse of 54 years, Maureen, and his his five children and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

26th August, 2024...Death of Derrick Mehaffey (Sounds, Conquerors, Royal, Paddy Cole Superstars)

Sad news today from community member, Teddie Palmer, that vocalist Derrick Mehaffey has passed away suddenly at the age of 78. Derrick first arrived on the national scene back in 1965 during the height of the showband era with his band Sounds Anonymous which soon became known as Derrick and the Sounds. He started playing keyboards. The band did well and in 1970 Derrick was poached away to front the famous Royal Showband after the departure of Brendan Bowyer. By 1974 he was fronting the Conquerors Showband. He also did a short stint with Paddy Cole's Superstars around 1975-76. Once he retired from the showband circuit he continued performing across Ireland, Canada and the UK switching from pop to a more country and Irish style of music. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife, Shirley and his family and friends across Ireland and the UK.

1st August, 2024...Death of Brendan O'Connell (Melochords, Cadets, Johnny McEvoy)

Sad news today from John Harrold that Brendan O'Connell, formerly of the Melochords, Cadets and Johnny McEvoy band sadly passed away August 1st, 2024. Other than his time with the Cadets when they were one of the top showbands in the country featuring Eileen Reid, we know that after the Cadets folded Brendan and Noel McGann joined Johnny McEvoy's new country outfit around 1970. We don't know much about his career after that but will keep researching. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family and friends around the country.

25th July, 2024...Death of George Byrne (Red Seven/Columbia Showband, Jim Tyrrell Trio)

Sad news today from Michael Fitzgerald and Jeremy Hynes that George Byrne of the Columbia Showband has passed away.  George joined the Red Seven (which became the Columbia) in 1961 and was with them until they broke up in 1969. From there he joined Frankie Carroll and the Ranchers along with Jim and Mick Tyrrell. During the 1970s and 80s George continued to play and was a part of the famous Jim Tyrrell Trio for years. During the 1990s he served as Johnny McEvoy's drummer on the cabaret scene. In the mid 1990s he joined the local scene in Arklow with the band Nightshade. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife, Oonagh, his children siblings and grandchildren around the world.




 

11th July, 2024...Death of Tommy Drennan (Monarchs, Freshmen, Top League, All Stars)

Sad news from several community members including Mervyn Tierney, Donal Cronin and John Harrold that Tommy Drennan, one of the biggest stars of the showband era has sadly passed away. When Tommy was 11 in 1953 he was singing with the choir in the Mount St. Alphonsus church and a recording was made of O' Holy Night. In 1962 he joined with the Freshmen, but returned home to Limerick a year later and the Top League was formed. He had his first chart hit with Boulavogue in 1964. He re-recorded O' Holy Night as an adult and it reached number one in the Irish charts in late 1971. In 1972 he joined the Top League which also featured future star Shaun O'Dowd. After the showband era, he continued to record and perform across the country and was one of Limerick's greatest entertainment legends. Our sincere sympathies are extended to Alice, his wife of sixty years, along with his family friends and fans across the world.  

23rd June, 2024...Death of Sean McKenna (Ventures Showband)

Sad news from community member John Harrold that Sean McKenna, founding bass player with Monaghan's Ventures Showband has sadly passed away after a long illness. More info to come...


 

18th June, 2024...Death of Pete Cresswell (Gene and the Gents, Flames, Sneaky Pete)

Sad news from community member John Harrold that Pete Cresswell, former guitarist with Gene and the Gents and the Flames (among others) has passed away (aged 80) after a short illness in his adopted home of Enniskillen. Originally from the UK, Pete came to Ireland in the mid 1960s when he replaced Henry McCullough in Gene Chetty's Gents Showband. After a short time, he and Gene left to form the Flames which were based in Enniskillen and managed by Sammy Smyth. The Flames would fold after only a few months and Pete formed Sneaky Pete, a group with Davy Quinn and Les Binks. According to Pete's own biography he then spent some time with Pat McGeegan's Skyrockets before returning to London. In 1970, he returned to Ireland and spent time with playing several bands including Jim Farley and Frank Chisum among others. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family and friends both in Ireland and the UK. 

9th June, 2024...Death of Terry Reynolds (Country Blue Boys, Mick Flavin, Kathy Durkan)

Sad news today from several community member John Harrold as well as Mervyn Tierney and John Fallon that Terry Reynolds, former drummer with Larry Cunningham's Country Blue Boys has passed away at his home in Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. Terry replaced original drummer, Brian Finlay around 1969 and played with Larry Cunningham (RIP) for many years. We also found online that in the 1980s he played with Mick Flavin and then Kathy Durkan for some time. In his civilian life, we understand he owned a garage business as well. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife, Rita, his children and his extended family and fans around the country.

2nd May, 2024...Death of Gregory Donaghey (Drumbeats, Polka Dots, Cadets, Nashville Ramblers) 

Sad news today from community member John Harrold that Gregory Donaghey lead singer with many band has sadly passed away in Toronto, Canada on May 2nd, 2024. Gregory was one of the earely showband singing stars, especially when he joined up with the Cadets and was teamed up with Eileen Reid around 1966. For the next eight years he had a strong of hit records including an Irish number 1, "More Than Yesterday." He left the band to join the Nashville Ramblers for a short time but in 1974, he left Ireland for the bright lights of Canada where he remained until his death. While in Canada he joined the famous Carlton Showband who had huge success across Canada and was a much loved superstar on the dance, recording and entertainment scene in his adopted home. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family and friends both here in Ireland and in Canada and across the world.

9th April, 2024...Death of Gerry Cullen (Royal Showband)

Sad news today from community member John Harrold that Gerry Cullen of the Royal Showband passed away on April 9th, 2024. A founder member of the Royal, he would leave the band in 1971 and went into sales and marketing initially with McInerney's and eventually with Hospital Enterprises. Born in 1938, Gerry (82) was retired and lived in Waterford, although for several years he lived in a retirement home where he enjoyed a leisurely lifestyle as well as being a major fund raiser for the home. He got together with former bandmate Eddie Sullivan from time to time and their favourite spot was Tom Maher's pub (from Waterford. (fyi interview in March, 2020 -  our thanks to Paul Power). Although predeceased by his wife Monica, our sincere sympathies are extended to his children Louise, Stephen, Peter, Jamie, Emily and David, his extended family, friends and fans across the world.

4th April, 2024...Death of Crawford Bell (California Brakemen)

Sad news today from Teddie Palmer that Crawford Bell passed away on April 4th at his home in Carryduff. He was 80. He started his career in his his late teens and played mostly on the cabaret and pub scene around Belfast until 1970 when he was a founder member of the California Brakemen, one of the "new" country outfits that flourished around the same time as the Virginians, Plainsmen and Cotton Mill Boys among others. By 1974 the band had broken up and he formed a new group called Steel Rail in the late 70s. He eventually went solo and became of of the most sought after Musical Directors on the entertainment scene for artists like Daniel O'Donnell and Nathan Carter. In more recent years I got to know him personally when he was MD for the "Do You Come Here Often" concert series across the country by David Hull. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife of 50 years, Hazel, as well as his children, grandchildren, family, friends and fans across Ireland and the UK.

29th March, 2024...Death of Noel Dempsey (Mexicans Showband)

Sad news today from Tony Killeen that Noel Dempsey, former trombonist and then lead singer with the Mexicans Showband passed away on March 29th at 86 years of age. More news to come hopefully.

30th January, 2024...Death of Kieran Cavanagh (New Blues)

Sad news today from community member John Harrold that Kieran Cavanagh has passed away aged 67 from brain cancer. Originally from Easkey, Co. Sligo, Kieran started his career as the bass player the the New Blues in 1975. After the band disbanded in 1982, Kieran formed KCP, a Dublin-based concert, promotion and production company in 1985. Some of the biggest international names have toured Ireland for KCP including James Brown, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Tammy Wynette, Daniel O’Donnell, Chuck Berry, Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter and many others. In 1995, Kieran received the prestigious CMA Award for International Promoter of the Year at a special dinner in the Nashville convention centre. He also produced the Celtic inspired Rhythm of the Dance show. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family and friends around the world.

29th January, 2024...Death of Hugh McLean (Blue Glows, Envoys, Mighty Avons, Knoxville)

Sad news from John Harrold today that Letterkenny's Hugh McLean has passed away. Hugh started his career in the mid-1960s as a member of the famous Eamon Ponsonby showband in Donegal. By 1970 the band had changed it name to the Blue Glows released a record "Tonight Carmen" featuring Hugh on vocals. He soon moved to another Letterkenny based band, Evelyn and the Envoys in 1972. In 1974 Hugh hit the big time when he was drafted along with Brendan Quinn into the Mighty Avons. In 1979 Hugh joined a band called Knoxville, but we're not sure whether they were local or regional. Hugh would continue entertaining folks locally. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans.

28th January, 2024...Death of Liam Drennan (Black Aces)

Sad news today that Liam Drennan, sax player with Kilkenny's Black Aces Showband passed away on January 28th. A founding member of the band in 1957, the Black Aces were one of the earliest "showbands" on the ballroom circuit in the late fifties. The band would remain active and very popular throughout the 1960s but by 1970 they were playing more and more in and around their hometown of Kilkenny. Liam would retire from the showband world and went to work, we understand, with the ESB. He played with several local groups and wedding bands and was still playing in 2020. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans in Kilkenny and around the country.

27th January, 2024...Death of Roddy Gillen (Clefonaires, Savoy Swing Seven)

Sad news today that my good friend Roddy Gillen has passed away after a long illness. Roddy started his career with the Clefonaires Showband based in Tubbercurry. A few years later he joined the Savoy Swing Seven. He eventually gave up live on the road and in the mid 1960s he joined local group, The Ladds who would become the Jazz Ladds. For the next half century they thrilled audiences in the Sligo area with their own brand of Dixieland jazz. A fixture on the Sligo entertainment scene for the last 50 years, Roddy will be sorely missed by his family and many friends and fans across the country.

10th January, 2024...Death of Seamus Magee (Nashville Showband-more to come)

Sad news today that Seamus Magee has passed away. Seamus started his career (we think) in 1969 when the Assaroe Ceili Band (like many others) changed their name and joined the showband circuit as the Nashville Showband. Although the band never grabbed national attention, they played the ballroom circuit in and around the North for several years. Seamus would retire from the road and form a local band, Wild Breed. More importantly, like many musicians of the showband era, he became a guiding light for many younger musicians in and around his hometown of Gweedore, made famous by legendary traditional group, Clannad. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife, Sarah, his children, extended family, friends and fans across Donegal and the rest of the country.

9th January, 2024...Death of Lindsay Luney (College Boys, Freshmen)

Sad news today from Pat McCollum that Lindsay Luney, former drummer with the College Boys and Freshmen, has passed away in Carrick. Besides his time on the showband scene he was heavily involved with the Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club where he would eventually serve as the club's President.

3rd January, 2024...Death of Aidan Kerins (Stylos Showband, Tom Kelly Sound, Fairways)

Sad news today here in Sligo that Aidan Kerins, bass player with the Stylos Showband as well as the Tom Kelly Sound and Fairways has passed away after a lengthy illness. In the late sixties and early 70s Aidan played with several showbands until he left the road and settled into a career in the automotive industry first with Williams Garage and then with his own company C & A. He continued to play music locally most recently for the last few decades as a member of the Quay Street Band. Sadly the band's lead singer, Sean Dwyer passed away last year and the band went off the road. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends in Sligo including partner of many years Mary Lenehan.