The KEYNOTES first taken photo . with a young Margo at front
From the files of  Paddy Joe O'Donnell (Bass )

 

 Story of the Keynotes Showband
By John Baird
 

An early photo of the Keynotes :Photo on Right
From Top…Johnny Gallagher(Guitar/Vocals)R.I.P Condy Boyle (Sax/Bandleader),
Tony Boyle(Drums),Eddie Quinn(Trumpet). Charlie McCole (Sax)
Paddy Joe O, Donnell(Bass/ Vocals) and young Margo O,Donnell(Vocals).
The young girl in Picture on the right in front of Bass Player
Paddy Joe O,Donnell in none other than Margo at 13 yrs of age.
Margo had two other Bands Blue Ridge Boys and Country Folk
Paddy Joe kindly loaned me these to scan,

Margo was replaced by another female vocalist

Patricia Pender

Patricia Pender (Crackaways) who eventually married band member
Kevin Cowley. Patricia also recorded “Come by the Hills “ with the band
They backed many fine artists including Bridie Gallagher, Eileen Donaghey,
Country legend Hank Locklin at a venue in Birmingham,
and Roger Whittaker in Enniscrone , Co.Sligo.
On one occasion while playing relief to Joe Dolan and the Drifters in the Fiesta,
they got a better reception that the Mullingar Band.
Joe was not amused and thought it was a planned move,
but the Keynotes were a very popular band with the dancers wherever they played.

In 1972 Ben E Quinn
joined the Keynotes as vocalist and recorded a single “Little Cabin Home on the Hill”.
However time was moving on and the Showband Scene was changing so
Condy and the boys decided to call it a day in the mid 1970,s.
There were some great memories to look back on and some not so funny ones too ! “
We once received a Police escort through Glasgow when the clutch failed in the
bandwagon and we were caught going through Red lights” Condy laughed .
but like all the others I,ve talked to they would do it all over again.
Maybe a reunion gig lads!
Well hopefully to bring back the great sounds, again of the popular Keynotes Showband
 

 Taken at a recent Reunion 2004 of the band in Kincasslagh
ex members of the Keynotes Showband are :
Back Row :L-R. Tony Boyle, Eddie Quinn, Paddy Joe O,Donnell,
Charlie McCole, Hughie Ward and Francie Diver.
Front :L-R. Condy Boyle , Margo and Johnny Gallagher.

Paddy Joe O,Donnell and Bill Ryan (with glasses) ex Buckshot.
Both are featured on the CD "Next Dance Please"
      Both photos courtesy of Paddy Joe O,Donnell,
 
 

From John Bairds collection
bairdart@iol.ie
 

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