Cathal Dunne

Formula ¤ Stateside

Cathal earned a place in Irish music history (and his nickname) when he represented Ireland in the 1979 Eurovision song contest with the self penned, Happy Man. Afterwards, he played the circuit with his bands, Formula, and Stateside. He now lives in Pittsburgh, PA, and still plays full time!

Red Hurley

Wheels ¤ Nevada ¤ Red Hurley Band

One of Ireland's biggest names in the 70's, Red Hurley represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with the song "When." He fronted the Nevada in it's heyday, and struck out on his own in the mid-70's. Red is still very active and a few years ago was touring Ireland with the "Rock and Red Show," sharing the bill with Dick Rock, and more recently as a solo artist.

Tony Kenny

Vampires ¤ Sands ¤ Tony Kenny Band

Tony started his Irish career with the Vampires beat group in Dublin and was soon asked to join Sands showband, formed by members of the original Miami Showband. In 1973, he had a hit single in England with "Heart of Stone." Soon after, though, he turned to musical theater, starring in "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" before returning to the band scene again in 1978. He still tours constantly in both Ireland and the States.

Butch Moore

Blue Clavons ¤ Billy Carter Band ¤ Capitol

The late Butch Moore, of the Capitol Showband, was Ireland's first ever performer in the Eurovision Song Contest and although he didn't win, he came back an instant superstar. Together with his band, Butch dominated the ballrooms and TV sets of Ireland in the 1960's. He eventually emigtated to the United States where he died in 2003 at the age of only 63. He will be missed.

Tina Reynolds

Mexicans ¤ Real McCoy ¤ Nevada

As far as we can tell, Tina broke onto the scene in the early 60's her band Tina and the Mexicans. In the early 70's she joined The Real McCoy, one of Ireland's first pop bands. Tina was also the lead singer, along with Glen Curtain, in the legendary Nevada lineup in the mid to late 70's. In 1974, she represented ireland in the Eurovision with "Cross Your Heart." Although she annouced her retirement in 1978, Peter Kinsey writes to say Tina is still doing cabaret and now lives in County Kildare!

Rob Strong

Polka Dots ¤ Plattermen ¤ Las Vegas ¤ Rockets ¤ Rob Strong Band

Easily one of the most recognizable voices of his era, Rob Strong burst onto the scene with the Plattermen in the late 60's with hard driving Blood, Sweat and Tears influenced rock and blues sound. After leaving the Plattermen, Rob fronted the Rockets and eventually ended up fronting his own Rob Strong band. He is still belting it out, his latest CD is called White velvet on Owl Records.

Big Tom

Mainliners ¤ Travellers ¤ Mainliners

One of Ireland biggest country stars, and perhaps the most loved (and hated) of all Irish singers. For some, Tom McBride represented the worst of "Country and Irish." Tom fronted the Mainliners through the 60's and early 70's, but left to form his own band, "Big Tom and the Travellers." However, in recent years, Tom is again touring with the original Mainliners and still has a legion of loyal fans.

Dickie Rock

Miami ¤ Dickie's Band

Dickie is one of the legends of Irish entertainment, having started out in the 60's. He was the lead singer with the Miami for many years, but left in the mid 70's and has never looked back. He represented Ireland in the 1966 Eurovision with "Come Back To Stay." Dickie still appears around Ireland these days, sometimes teaming up with other superstars of the Showband era, and sometimes on his own.

Brian Coll

Plattermen ¤ Buckaroos

Brian Coll came from a very musicial family, his brother Frank fronted the Big Valley and Martin also played in bands. He came to prominence with the original Plattermen, and then left to form The Buckaroos and had a long string of hit country records.

Brendan Bowyer

Royal Showband ¤ Big Eight

Brendan Bowyer has achieved legendary status in the world of Irish entertainment. Originally the Waterford-born singer was a member of the wildly popular Royal Showband. When he left in the early seventies, the country was stunned. He put together The Big Eight and started touring Las Vegas. In the mid 70's, he and the band relocated to Vegas playing as "The Irish Showband." He still splits his time between the two countries and lives in Las Vegas.