It was with great sadness that I learned of the sudden and untimely death of Cork Showband legend ,
Brendan O, Brien suddenly at his Cork home April 3rd 2008.
It was passed on to me by his good friend John Murphy
Nothig can be written about Brendan that has not been written before ,
a gentleman and a pure professional entertainer.
With the Dixies he had a string of hits and recordings ,
and this legacy will live on in the hands of Showband D,J, sie , Eddie Kelly ,
Jimmy Higgins and others who will see to it that his music and great personality is not forgotten .
Brendan, from all your many fans and friends , may you Rest in Peace ."
 John Baird

******************************************************************************

The town of Tuam lost three well known musicians in the past month ,
namely Cyril Fullard ( Ollie Maloney Showband),
Tommy Ward  a trumpeter with Ollie Maloney and later Blue Midnight ,
and  Christy Meehan  (Christy Meehan Ceili Band ).
The will be sadly missed by all who knew them and danced to their bands.
May their souls Rest in Peace."
John Baird

Joe Dolan
died at his home in Foxrock Co. Dublin at 3 pm
Wednesday, 26 December 2007.
He died of a brain haemorrhage
He was ailing for a short time and his death will be mourned by his
legions of fans both in Ireland and Worldwide.
To his Family our heartfelt sympathy goes out . Joe ,
May your soul Rest in Peace"

Barry Scully
Died of a heart attack on Monday 10/12/07.
He was the musical "brains" behind Gene and the Gents.
He spent the last 17 years in Dickie Rock's backing band
as well as having his own band Be Bop gold.
We communicated regularly and arranged to meet at the Helix theatre in
January during the Showband tour.
I will miss him
Regards   Gene
**********************************************************

Michael O, Callaghan,  of the popular Michael O, Callaghan Showband
passed away on Sunday the 9th Dec 2007 at his Co. Cork home .
May he Rest in Peace

GENE IS BACK!
Yes, Gene Chetty lead singer with Gene and the Gents (1964-1970)
 is making his first appearances in Belfast, Dublin and Derry since 1970.
Gene is appearing in the Do You Come Here Often/Showband Show alongside
Roly Daniels (Nevada), Tony Kenny (Sands), Brian Coll (Plattermen),
Muriel Day (Dave Glover), Geraldine Brannigan and a host of other showband stars,
with Gerry Marsden (Pacemakers) as special guest.
The show is presented by the dynamic George Jones
Gene was born in South Africa and came to Dublin in 1962 to study Law,
but gave up his studies to join the Showband Circuit.
He made his debut with the Enniskillen based band on St Patrick’s Day 1964!
Recently, he started performing again and last year was a guest on
Henry McCullough’s concerts at the Riverside, Coleraine and the Ardhowen theatre, Enniskillen
Henry (Wings fame) was the original Gents guitarist
Gene and the Gents were rated a top 20 showband and among Northern Ireland’s
top 5 bands during those showband days.
Not bad considering there were about 700 showbands at that time!
Gene has recorded a 4 track CD and released it recently
to remind his friends and fans that he is alive and kicking!

Show dates:
27, 28, 29, 30/12/07 Waterfront Hall Belfast
02, 03, 04, 05, 06/01/08 Helix Theatre Dublin

09, 10, 11/01/08 Millennium Forum Derry

Gene’s contact details:
E mail:dushy.chetty@btinternet.com
dushy.chetty@btinternet.com
Mobile: 07904 381938
 

It is with profound sadness and deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of
The Capitol Showband,s. legendary Trombonist Don Long , after a long illness.
Don died Oct 29th at 6.30am in Manchester , England . As a Capitol fan and i,m sure
I speak for all fans of the band , our heartfelt condolences go to his widow Mary and his
family in their bereavement..
Don will always be remembered for one number "Angelina",
but like all the famous band he was a truly versatile
and remarkable musician and character.
Don . May your Soul Rest in Peace .
You will never be forgotten. God Bless you.
John Baird

Dermot O Brien
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
RIP.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to
the O'Brien Family and
      friends on the passing of Dermot today.
He will be greatly missed.

A member of the St Mary's club in Ardee, he won three
Louth Senior Football championship medals in 1951, 1956 and 1960
In 1953, he won a Leinster Senior Championship medal
as part of the Louth team that defeated Wexford in the Leinster final.
In 1957, he won his second Leinster Championship medal when Louth defeated Dublin
in the Leinster final, and in September of that year lifted the Sam Maguire cup on behalf of the Wee County.
Dermot O Brien was also a renowned musician and singer and his recording of
'The Merry Ploughboy' went straight to number 1 in the Irish Charts in 1966.
He hosted his own television programmes, including 'The Dermot O'Brien Show'
on RTÉ television and his talents as an accordion player were respected the world over.
He also had a great love of the Irish language and his All Ireland winning speech in 1957
was delivered primarily in the native tongue.
RTE

Limerick Man Brendan O'Loughlins new CD,
"Between Two Shores" has recently been released.
 The compilation includes sixteen tracks, all written and performed by Brendan,

Jim Ruane
a nember of the well known Swingtime Aces , Athenry
passed away in March 2006
 May he Rest in Peace.
John Baird

Kieran Murphy
 (Margo and the Country Folk , Frank McCaffrey and the Country Folk)
 passed away suddenly ,on Friday the 31st of March 2006
 He was a native of Ballinrobe , Co. Mayo."
          May he Rest in Peace,
This obituary comes courtesy of Ann Fahy ,Galway
John Baird

Eddie Kelly's book "The Complete Guide To Ireland's Top Ten Hits Of The 60's"
which has just been published,
The publishing company has activated his website which gives full details on the book
     Click  book picture to log on

eddkell@eircom.net

Shay Cribben
ex. Lead Vocalist with the Co. Mayo based Riveira Showband,
died in Dublin on Fri. 30th Sept 2005 after a terminal illness.
He was best known for his recording of "Love and the Country "
a self penned number which made the Irish Charts.
He will be buried in Kilkelly , Co. Mayo on Monday .
              May he Rest in Peace"
John Baird

Domnic Shearer , former lead vocalist with
The Clipper Carlton, Strabane and The Santa Fe Showband
died yesterday the 31st. August in Belfast, following an illness which he fought bravely to the end .
A true gentleman he was held in high esteem by all his fellow musicians and fans alike
He will be sorely missed and sympathy is extended to his wife and immediate family circle .
       May his Soul  REST IN PEACE
 John Baird
 

Featured Artist...
Brendan O’Loughlin
Gerry and the Ohio from Galway, The Express Showband from Dublin,
as well as, Tommy Drennan's All Star Band, The Ambassador 7 Showband,
and the Parkway Orchestra, all based in Limerick.

FREE Downloads (membership not required) offered by Brendan O'Loughlin:
From New CD 'Between Two Shores'
(Irish St. Patrick's Day festival, party time, drinking song.
Click here to download "Good Health to Our Friends"

   "Leo Murray ,
ex Tenor Sax  player with the La Scala Dance Band ,
Burtonport, Co. Donegal,died suddenly while on holiday
with his wife in Malta.
May his Soul Rest in Peace
John Baird

June 28th 2005
Victor Craig ex manager of the Clipper Carlton Showband, Strabane
died in Altnagelvin Hospital , Derry after a short illness .
He was 88 yrs old . He is survived by his wife Marie , and sons and daughters.
He died peacefully with his family at his bedside. He will be sorely missed
by all who knew him and benefitted of his great friendship.
I for one am proud to have known him .
May he Rest in Peace.
John Baird

Johnny "Guitar" Gallagher who played withh the Keynotes Showband , Dungloe
was laid to rest today ,4 th May 2005. A fine guitarist /vocalist
he began his career in the La Scala Danceband , Burtonport ,
He will be sadly missed by all his ex Showband colleagues.
 May his Soul Rest in Peace,
John Baird
bairdart@iol.ie

May 2nd 2005.
 Pat McGonigle ,Trombonist with the
Melody Aces Showband passed away
 Newtonstewart Co. Tyrone.
  May his soul Rest in Peace,
John Baird
bairdart@iol.ie

Doc Carroll  died this morning May 2nd 2005.
 In February 1966, Doc and the Royal Blues entered the Showband Hall of Fame
when their recording of "Old Man Trouble" topped the Irish charts for two weeks.
 When the showband era drew to a close Doc retained his popularity
continued to work successfully on the entertainment circuit in Ireland and Britain.
 May he rest in peace.

Eddie Kelly
eddkell@eircom.net

Dan O, Hara. ex Lead Guitarist with Philomena Begley and also the Overlanders Showband ,
 passed away yesterday (Sat. 13 th Nov  2004)
 An excellent musician in his field he will be sorely missed by his family
and all in the music business who knew him .
 May his soul Rest in Peace,
John Baird

Galway,s Black Magic Big Band ,played their first Donegal Gig when they entertained
a packed corporate function held in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny,
on Saturday Night the 6th. Nov . to celebrate the 5th birthday of the local theatre , An Grinian.
Playing to their usual high standard the music of Miller, Dorsey , Kenton, Prima etc
,the band with vocalists Garret Phillips and Nicola Maguire
got a great response from an appreciative audience.
For two members , Bassist Fergal Gallagher, and veteran Trumpeter John Merrick,
it was great to hear them play in their native county.
Sitting in on the night were two of the most well known "heads" in the business,
Gay McIntyre on Alto Sax,and the versatile John Trotter on Trombone.
Well done all the lads for a great nights entertainment.
 John Baird

Sat, Sep 25 04
 LEGENDARY showband singer Big Tom has been named as the former holder
of a bogus non-resident account.
The Mainliners singer appears under his real name,
Tom McBride, in the Revenue's quarterly list of tax defaulters
Mr McBride, from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, made a settlement of €100,000
to Revenue collectors. Of this, €25,000 was owed in tax while €75,000 was penalties.
 
 

Spit on me, Dickie!
Dickie Rock  the original Irish Pop star.

Mint Productions are making a film for RTE about his life
We are seeking to make contact with his fans, those who grew up, courted and danced serenaded by Dickie.
Photographs and in particular film (super 8) taken at the time are of a particular interest as are Dickie memorabillia, tickets, albums and programmes.
We would love to hear your stories; couples who met and fell in love at a Dickie show;
If you have any information that could be of help in our making of this production
please get in touch with us we’d love to hear your stories!

Please contact: Ailbhe Maher
Mint Productions
205 Lower Rathmines Road
Rathmines Dublin 6.
Tel: 01 4913333
Email: ailbhe@mint.ie
www.mint.ie

Peter Ainscough, ex drummer with the Express Showband , Dublin,
passed away on the 23rd Oct.2004 age 63
An excellent drummer , Peter had been playing in a Jazz trio with
Honor Heffernan and Noel Kelehan (piano) in a Dublin Hotel until his death .
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. May he Rest in Peace.
 John Baird
 

 Drug overdose claimed brother of Dickie Rock
Nov 1st 2004

Singer Dickie Rock's foster brother Vincent died from a heroin overdose while
shooting up in the shack of a homeless friend, an inquest has heard.

Vincent Murphy Rock (43),died on May 19 last year.
A former well-known hairdresser, he had had difficulty
with drugs for many years but had
been 'clean' until the weeks before his death.

 On Friday night last , the 29th Oct. 2004 ,the CYMS  Snooke Club in Letterkenny Co. Donegal  officialy opened its new hall. During the opening a presentation of a framed colage of the late Victor Fleming , ex trombonist of the Clipper Carlton Showband and a former North West Billiards Champion was made to his widow Aileen , who travelled fron her home in Gloucester , England ,for the event . Also present was Vic Craig ex. Clippers manager and his wife Marie and Vic Flemings sister Eileen and her husband Fred Graham.I was priveleged to be there with my wife Jane in the company of great friends and the excellent hospitality provided by all the members of the CYMS Snooker Club , of which the late Victor Fleming is held in such high regard.
John Baird

John Baird
Click Image for John's Page a must see
(Lots of Photo's and Articles)

Willie Deevey drummer with The Cadet's Showband
                  died suddenly in Dublin of a Heart Attack on Sat 22nd May 2004.
                He was last seen on George Jones, "Do you come Here Often" Shows
              at the Waterfront Hall , Belfast, a few years ago where he done a spot with
                          Eileen Reid and Paddy Burns from the Cadets

May his Soul Rest in Peace    John Baird  May 23rd 2004

Sad to hear that Mighty Avons legend  Larry Cunningham  was recently taken ill with an anuerism,
the second time the popular Granard man has suffered this. But thankfully he,s on the mend .
I was talking to him on the phone yesterday and he thanks his many fans who sent him get well wishes.
We certainly hope you make a speedy recovery Larry , as you had and still have many fans throughout the World.
Get well Soon.      John Baird  June 1st  2004

The Band Sikwood has released a promo single ,the old Solomon King  hit "When we were Young".
It was also covered in Ireland by  Pat Lynch and the Airchords.
It features Paul Keating on vocals and is another fine recording from this super Galway based Band
Watch out for an album later"
John Baird   June 4th  2004

 " Don Long, former trombonist with the Capitol and Donie Collins Showband,
had a sucessfull heart bypass operation  in Manchester where he now resides.
He is making a full recovery and will soon be back to fitness again .
Get well soon Don, from all the Capitol fans on the web."
 John Baird   June 20th 2004

Ernie Berkenheier,Bassist and founder member of the Airchords has died.
A Rememberance Mass will be held for Ernie in the Church of the Holy Spirit,
Ballyroan, Rathfarnham, Dublin on Thursday July 29th, 2004 at 12 noon.
 Eddie Kelly  July 28th 2004
 
 

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