The Johnny Flynn Showband
The town of Tuam in Co.Galway, has more or less been regarded as
“the Showband capital of Ireland”
in the fact that at one time in the early 60,s , 6 top class bands
plyed their trade from the well known market town. One of them and probably
the best known was the Johnny Flynn Showband, a brilliant musical combination
with its roots firmly steeped in the Tuam Brass Band as the bandmaster
Danny Kelly (Sen.) was a member of the original Showband. In
1958, Johnny Flynn,s original band was: Johnny Flynn (Leader:
Organ/Accordion) his brothers Brendan (Sax/Clar.) and Francie (Bass Guitar),Danny
Kelly Jnr,(Trombone), Billy Potter (Guitar) Frankie Hannon (Drums), Ollie
Maloney (Trumpet) and Gerry Cronin (Lead Vocalist).
This band toured America and while over there recorded a single featuring
Gerry Cronin entitled “You took her off my Hands” . It never went on release
here as the hole in the middle of the record was too large for a
standard record player. In the early 60,s, Ollie Maloney , Gerry Cronin
and Billy Potter left to form the Ohio Showband.
The Johnny Flynn Band continued to travel countrywide and had a
huge following up here in the Nort-west ,.
More tours of the USA and trips to the UK were undertaken, and they
took part in the
New York St. Patricks Day parade in 1963.
The Johnny Flynn Danceband 1949.
As like other bands there were many personnel changes but
the line up that made the most impression on the recording scene was :
Johnny and Francie Flynn ,Frankie Hannon, Jim Dalton ,Danny Kelly ,Roy
Donnelly,
Joe McIntyre (Sax) , Billy Kelly(Trumpet), Pete Creighton (Guitar)
and vocalist Pat Smyth who had a
No. 1 hit with “The Black and Tan Gun” in 1966.
This fine line up also recorded many singles and an album entitled
“The Magnificent 7”
which covered much of the band,s varied stage repertoire
This Photo courtesy of Liam O'Reilly Collection
Like all the Tuam bands The Flynn Band featured many brass
arrangements, this being their trademark and their varied dancing programme
of pop , dixieland , country ,and ballads was well received by appreciative
dancers.
They had in their enigmatic drummer Frankie “Flash” Hannon a suberb
drummer and showman and his rendering of Fats Domino numbers were Showstoppers
to say the least. In the early 1970,s the end of the traditional showband
line up was in sight , but Johnny Flynn continued on as The Johnny Flynn
Sound until the end of 1972. This great showband has left us with
a host of memories and will never be forgotten,They were great musicians
all , names like Mickey Eagleton , Mickey Devaney . Billy Mc Glinchey,Patsy
Haugh, Angelina Mc Donagh, Martin Murphy, and others were a part of this
famous Showband
Sadly Johnny Flynn died in 1996 preceeded by Brendan Flynn, Billy Kelly, Frankie Hannon, Gerry Cronin , Ollie Maloney and more recently by Jim Dalton. May all the deceased band members Rest in Peace.
John Baird
Johnny Flynn Showband taken circa 1958
They are :Back L-R. Billy Mack (Sax/Clar.)
Francie Flynn (Bass)
and Frankie "Flash" Hannon (Drums / Vocals)
Middle Row: Mickey Eagleton (Guitar/Vocals),
Olly
Maloney (Trumpet),
and Brendan Flynn (Sax./Clar/.)
Front: Johnny
Flynn (Accordion/Piano) Bandleader
This Photo courtesy of Liam O'Reilly Collection
A rare photo of the Flynn band taken on tour in England 1962
L-R, Gerry Cronin, Brendan Flynn, Johnny Flynn, Miko Kelly (Manager),
Danny Kelly, Francie Flynn , Olly Maloney
Standing at back on the bus doorway is Pat Smyth,
At extreme left front is Frankie Hannon.
From Miko Kelly,s archives of the band.
Miko Kelly sadly passed away after a prolonged illness at his home
in Tuam 9th. Oct 2006
. A legendary figure in sporting and public life in the Tuam area,
he was well known also as being the manager of the renowned Johnny Flynn
Showband ,
a post in which he was held in such high esteem by all in the music
business.
On a personal note , i.ve only had contact with him in the last
year and found him to be a true gentleman.
He will be sadly missed firstly by his immediate family circle and
by all who knew him .
Miko, may your soul Rest in Peace ."
John Baird
