All About The Miami Showband (1961 - 1996)

Photo Gallery - Band Lineups - Discography - Audio samples - Where Are They Now?

The Story

With thanks to Anto Long and Caroline Allen

Few bands in Ireland have had as prolific, and tragic, a history as the Miami. The band was formed in 1961 when The Downbeats changed their name and expanded their lineup with Jimmy Harte handling lead vocals. They enjoyed moderate success, but after less than a year, Jimmy decided to leave the band as at the time he was working and studying. He and his parents felt it was better to stay focused on his school, a decision he still somewhat regrets, even though he has continued to make a living a tour the world doing music. To fill the gap, the band brought in Dickie Rock, a young singer who had been playing with a Dublin band called the Melochords. With Dickie out front, the band became a smash hit across the country.

Within a short time, Dickie and the Miami were one of the top two or three bands in the country, competing head to head with the legendary Royal Showband from Waterford for top honours on the showband scene. Dickie and the band hit number one in the Irish charts in 1963 with There's Always Me.

1964 started with a bang as the band's follow-up release, I'm Yours, also hit the number one spot, firmly establishing the band as a top draw and Dickie as a major star. Going from strength to strength, the band appeared at the famed London Palladium that year and set attendance records where ever they played. Dickie and the band finished the year with yet another number one, and one of Dickie's all time classics, From The Candy Store On The Corner.

Miami mania hit a fever pitch in the mid 1960's. In 1965, they released five singles, three of which went to number one in the Irish charts. Guitarist Clem Quinn had a hit with Buck's Polka and the number ones kept coming. In 1966, Dickie was selected to represent Ireland in the Eurovision song contest with Come Back to Stay, only the second performer to appear for Ireland. Placing fourth overall, Dickie returned to Ireland a national hero.  

In late 1967, after five years of hit singles (6 number one hits) the unthinkable happened...the Miami broke up. The final appearance of the original Miami was on September 3rd in Dromkeen. At first, it was rumoured that Clem Quinn would be leaving the band, but this was incorrect. Murty Quinn felt the band could be more popular with a change of direction. Murty, Joe Tyrell, Denis Murray and Martin Phelan left to form The Sands. They recruited the Vampires' Tony Kenny to front the new band. The Sands would also go on to become one of the most successful bands of the era.

The "new" Miami made their debut on Saturday, September 23rd in the Palm Beach Ballroom in Portmarnock. The band immediately regrouped with a new lineup that included two members of one of Ireland's up and coming beat groups, The Chosen Few - Fran O'Toole (keyboards), and Paul Ashford (bass). Rounding out the five new members of the band were Des McAlea (a.k.a. Des Lee) on sax from the Arrivals, Pat McCarthy of the Columbia Showband on trombone and Brian McCoy of The Secrets on trumpet. The new look Miami continued the band's record of success and in 1968, Dickie and the band had yet another number one hit with Simon Says. Danny Ellis would replace Pat around 1969. During this entire period, Dickie Rock, although enjoying success after success, was paid the same wages as everyone else in the band. This created some pressures within the band. At this point, the band had always been an eight piece, but when Danny Ellis left the band around 1971, they went to a seven piece and eventually would be only six. 

Finally, in late 1972, Dickie decided to leave and form his own band, which he called Dickie's Band. In a little known move, the Miami drafted two brothers, Frankie and Johnny Simon from Boyle in Co. Roscommon to fill Dickie's shoes. Unfortunately though, the brothers didn't last long and after a St. Stephen's Night debut (December 26th for those not familiar with the Holiday), the brothers were replaced by Billy Mac about a month into the new year.  

Billy MacDonald (a.k.a. Billy Mac) joined the band in a blaze of publicity. They released a record, That's A Woman, but neither the record nor the band seemed to get any mileage and Billy left at the end of the year. In late 1973 Mick Roche, previously of The Arrows, returned from Canada to front the band, but he didn't stay long very long either. The Miami were having a little problem filling Dickie's spot until they decided to stick with their existing lineup. 

Not missing a beat, Fran O'Toole stepped out front and the band continued to enjoy success. In 1974, Fran's song Clap Your Hands and Stomp Your Feet, was a huge hit for the Miami, reaching number eight in the Irish Charts, but it was even an bigger hit on the dance floor. However, the good times were soon to come to an untimely and tragic end.  

On July 31, 1975, on a lonely country road outside Newry, the band were making their way home to Dublin from a gig at the Castle Ballroom in Banbridge, Co. Down when they were flagged down by men in military dress. Anyone who traveled the roads of Northern Ireland in those days will remember that it was a relatively common occurrence as the security forces often established makeshift check points at all times of the day and night. However, the band were ordered out of their van and a group of UVF militants started to plant a bomb in the van...when it detonated prematurely. In the ensuing chaos, the remaining terrorists opened fire, killing Fran O'Toole, Brian McCoy, Tony Geraghty and seriously wounding Stephen Travers.

The killings shocked the entire country and changed the showband scene for many years to come as overnight, the North was avoided by most bands from the South. It would take years before bands started to make the trek across the border in any numbers. More importantly, the tragedy struck at the core of the showband industry, cutting short the lives of three musicians whose only crime was that they dedicated their lives to entertainment. Ireland would never be the same.  

Devastated, the Miami appeared to be finished. However, before the end of the year, the three surviving members, Des McAlea, Stephen Travers, and Ray Millar reformed the band with Noel Ryan (keyboards), Des Flaherty (guitar), and Norman Clifford (trumpet) and hit the road again with Des Lee taking front and center. (Picture at right)

Fran O'Toole's record, Love Is, was released posthumously and reached number eight in the Irish Charts. Once again, the Miami were on top, demonstrating the hope and resolve of a nation torn by the troubles in the North. The Miami continued to be one of the top drawing bands in the country and had succeeded in adapting to the new trends on the ballroom scene as they occurred, yet remained true to the original vision of the band.

The rebirth of the band would prove short-lived. By late 1976, Stephen Travers left, tired of recognition due to the terrorist incident rather than his music. Stephen set aside his performing career to take up bass guitar tutoring. A few months later, in April, 1977 Ray Millar quit and went to work as a car salesman in his native Antrim. Stephen was replaced by Peter Eades, a young bass player who, along with Dessie Flaherty, would lead the band through the next chapter in its long history. Ray was replaced by P.J. Coyne who had previously been the drummer with Dickie's Band. The changes would continue as Noel and Norman also left and the Kaye Twins were drafted to fill the vacant slots.

This left Des Lee as the only band member with connections to Dickie and the original band, However, in early 1978, Des left to take a position as the the entertainments manager/leader of the resident band in The Stardust Ballroom. However, Des only stayed in the position for about three months and in June 1978, he launched Starband, coaxing Stephen and Ray out of "semi-retirement" to join him in the new venture. They joined with Adrian Mullen of Chips, guitarist Aonghus McNally from Mushroom, and newcomer Dee McMahon and the band was launched as "The Best Thing for Dancing since Feet!"

Yet again the Miami was faced with a total overhaul of its lineup and the newly built Miami had only Des Flaherty remaining who had been with the band in 1975 and no one who had ever played with Dickie Rock. The new lineup was much younger and was a hit with the new generation of dancers coming on the scene in the ballrooms. The released a single, I like It Like That, which reached number 10 in the charts.

The band's new lineup was led by Charlie Chapman with P.J. Coyne adding vocals and playing drums. Peter Eades would also feature prominently in the early 80's. Around 1980, Peter Eades and P.J. Coyne left the band and were replaced by Liam Slattery on bass and Brian O'Reilly on drums. Peter and Brian would also play together in Jump The Gun, the five piece band that represented Ireland in Eurovision 1988 with Peter's composition, Take Him Home. The band also added an unknown female vocalist around this time, however she did not stay for very long. As the ballroom scene in Ireland continued to dwindle, the boys decided it was time to leave the country and ended up in Mexico where they toured for a year as the Europa Show. The band enjoyed much success, but after a year, they called it quits and went their own ways. 

Back in Ireland, in 1982, the next chapter in band started when manager Tony Bogan spotted a band called Speedway and recruited them to be the New Miami. The final piece to the puzzle was added when Caroline Allen was spotted singing in a Dublin cabaret venue.

Caroline takes up the story, "I was only 16 when I was doing a cabaret gig in Molly’s pub in Tallaght. The compere at that time was Mick Roche (who I believe also sang with the Miami in the 60’s) and before I went on stage he told me to “break a leg” as there was someone in the audience who wanted to hear me sing.  After the show I was introduced to Tony Bogan and Joe Tyrrell who asked me to audition for The New Miami Showband, the auditions were held in the National Ballroom.  Anyway I went along with my friend and I met up with the new band, Tony and Joe I sang about 3 or 4 songs and left.  My friend and I went for a drink afterwards to calm my nerves when about half an hour later Tony and the band came in, we all sat down and chatted for a while and Tony told me I had the job, I was as you can imagine over the moon.  During the 4 years we did numerous television shows including SBB (the Irish show) The Brendan Grace Christmas Special, The Late late, Live at 3 and Good Evening Ulster.  We also recorded tracks including Fly me home, A +B+C, Don’t let it get under your skin which I sang and You Are Temptation (sang by Colin Goodall).  We entered the Ballina Song Contest and got to the final."

The full line up was Caroline Allen (vocals), Mick McAvenue (vocals), Colin Goodall (keyboards), Michael Connelly (guitar), Alan Menton (bass), and Brendan Keogh (drums). Mick McAvenue left after about 3 months and the rest of the line up stayed together till 1984. At that time, they added two female dancers/backup vocalists to the lineup: Sharon McGrane was from Dublin and Denise Hayde was from London and they stayed for 1 year.  In 1985, Colin Goodall left to form his own band and was replaced by Pat Coldrick (formally of the Memories). Pat played lead guitar so Michael Connelly switched from lead guitar to playing keyboards. In 1986, Caroline went off the road suffering from nodules on her vocal chords, but she returned after six months, however, the Miami soon disbanded.  

However, the final chapter in the Miami saga would not be written until 1996 when a Newsround article by Betty O'Brien announced the relaunching of the Miami on Easter Sunday, 1996, reportedly thirty four years after the launch of the original Miami. The article reported that Gerry Brown, brother of Eurovision winner, Dana was to lead the new band on stage. Gerry approached band manager Michael Magill with the idea and the band was formed with a programme that consisted of "all the Miami hits, 14 songs from Fran O'Toole, 6 from Des Lee and all Dickie Rock's big hits."

The new lineup was: Gerry Brown (vocals/keyboards), Michael McGuiness (drums), Paul Beattie (guitar), Niall O'Connor (keyboards), Stephen Bradley (sax), Noel Barr (trumpet) and Connie Doherty (bass). We have no idea at this point how long the last version of the Miami was on the road, but we will find out as soon as we can.     

The Miami will never be forgotten. After being rebuilt five times (or more), they continued to provide excitement for dancers and profits for promoters and remain one of the best loved, and most successful, showbands of the era. One of the greatest gatherings of ex-showband musicians took place in July, 2005 at Vicar Street, Dublin for the much celebrated 30 Year Memorial concert for the Miami. The show was a great success and featured many of the stars of the era, but also had a great finale with Des Lee returning from South Africa where he now makes his home to lead an All Star lineup play several of the band's greatest hits. The proceeds from the event will help fund the building of a Miami Memorial in Dublin, a campaign led by Stephen Travers and several of the late band members' families.

Latest Update: Following the success of the Vicar Street concert in 2005, Des Lee, Stephen Travers and Ray Millar have joined with Gerry Brown (who bought the Miami name in the mid 90's) to recreated the excitement of the Miami Showband. Joining the foursome are Johnny Fean, former guitarist with Horslips and Barry Woods, a long time veteran of the showband ranks having played with The Newmen, Real McCoy and Lyttle People, among others. The band hit the road in late 2008 and are managed by David Hull, promoter of the famous "Do You Come Here Often" series of concerts.

Photo Gallery

Click on thumbnails for full images

* Tony Geraghty, Fran O'Toole and Brian McCoy were killed by terrorists on July 31, 1975
** This lineup was a new band and were launched on Easter Sunday, 1996.

Discography (partial list):

Singles

There's Always Me / Boys (featuring Dickie Rock) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye/Picadilly Records - 7N.35154 - November, 1963
I'm Yours / Please Don't Drag That String Around (featuring Dickie Rock) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye/Picadilly Records - 7N.36185 - March, 1964
From The Candy Store On The Corner / Twenty Flight Rock (featuring Dickie Rock) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye/Picadilly Records - 7N.35202 - September, 1964
Just for Old Times' Sake / Me Not You (featuring Dickie Rock) - #2 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.15729 - December, 1965
Round and Around / Shake A Little Baby (featuring Dickie Rock) - #2 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.15750 - January, 1965
Every Step of the Way / Rock n' Roll Music (featuring Dickie Rock) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.15855 - May, 1965
I Left My Heart in San Francisco / One by One (featuring Dickie Rock) - #4 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.15891 - August, 1965
Wishing It Was You / Georgie Porgie (featuring Dickie Rock) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.15977 - October, 1965
Buck's Polka / O Solo Mio (featuring Clem Quinn) - #8 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17006 - November, 1966
One Kiss For Old Time's Sake / Someone Told Me (featuring Murty Quinn) - #3 Irish Charts 
Pye Records - 7N.17028 - January, 1966
Come Back To Stay / Can't Make Up My Mind (featuring Dickie Rock) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17063 - February, 1966
Darling I Love You / Suspicion (featuring Dickie Rock) - #4 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17206 - November, 1966
When You Cry / To Whom It Concerns (featuring Dickie Rock) - #7 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17253 - January, 1967
There Goes My Everything / Make Believe (featuring Murty Quinn) - #17 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17295 - April, 1967
Baby I'm Your Man / Mairzy Doats And Dozy Doats (featuring Dickie Rock) - #13 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17316 - May, 1967
Simon Says / Somebody Else Is Taking My Place (featuring Dickie Rock) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17527 - June, 1968
Christmas Time and You / The Little Boy Santa Forgot (featuring Dickie Rock) - #10 Irish Charts
United Artists Records - UP.2256 - November, 1968
Goody Goody Gumdrops / Then I'll Count Again (featuring Des Lee)
Target Records - 7N.17790 - 1969
The Wanderer / Uncle Tristian's Moonship (featuring Dickie Rock)
Target Records - 7N.17806 - 1969
Jack and Jill / Rectify (featuring Des Lee)
Target Records - 7N.17836 - 1969
Emily / Waterfall (featuring Dickie Rock) - #12 Irish Charts
United Artists Records - UP.3507 - April, 1969
Burning Bridges / Run To The Clown (featuring Dickie Rock)
Pye Records - 7N.45014 - 1970
When My Train Comes In / Day by Day (featuring Dickie Rock) - #15 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17966 - July, 1970
My Heart Keeps Telling Me / We Did It Together (featuring Dickie Rock)
Pye Records - 7N.45062 - May, 1971
Cathedral In The Pines / Go (featuring Dickie Rock) - #15 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.60005 - October, 1971
Shake A Hand / Pledge of Love (featuring Fran O'Toole)
Pye Records - 7N.60007 - November, 1971
Till Mini Monster EP / Just For Old Times Sake / Georgie Porgie / The Candy Store (featuring Dickie Rock) - #9 Irish Charts
Pye Records - PMM.601 - January, 1972
Loci Porti (Crazy for You) / Writing On The Wall (featuring Fran O'Toole)
Pye Records - 7N.60019 - July, 1972
Lollipops, Lace and Lipstick / When You Cry (featuring Dickie Rock)
Pye Records - 7N.60024 - September, 1972
Lot 109 / Teardrop on Teardrop (featuring Dickie Rock)
Pye Records - 7N.45137 - 1972
That's A Woman / Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone (featuring Billy Mac)
Solo Records - SOLO 113 - August, 1973
There Won't Be Anymore / It Never Rains In Southern California (featuring Brian McCoy)
Emerald Records - MD 1177 - August, 1974
Clap Your Hands, Stomp Your Feet / Drift Away (featuring Fran O'Toole) - #8 Irish Charts
Emerald Records - MD 1179 - October, 1974
Love Is - Tell Me Again (featuring Fran O'Toole - released posthumously) - #8 Irish Charts
Mint Records - CHEW 1 - September, 1975
Hold On To Love / Angel of Love (featuring Des Lee)
Mint Records - CHEW 14 - 1976
Out There Singing / Can't You Understand (featuring Fran O'Toole - released posthumously)
Mint Records - CHEW 17 - June, 1977
I Like It Like That / My Life Is Rock n' Roll - #10 Irish Charts
Mint Records - CHEW 23 - August, 1978
Too Much Is Going On / Miami Melody (featuring Peter Eades)
Mint Records - CHEW 28 - May, 1979)
Reelin' and Rockin' / Suzie, Clap Your Hands
Mint Records - CHEW 31 - 1979
Words and Music / Save The Last Dance For Me (featuring Charlie Chapman)
Mint Records - CHEW 43 - 1980
Money Is The Root of All Evil / Sitting Here All Alone To-Night
Crashed Records - CAR 10 - April, 1981
A+B+C / Don't Let It Get Under Your Skin
Crashed Records - CAR 64 - 1984
You Are Temptation - #20 Irish Charts
Dolphin Records - February, 1986

Albums

The Miami All-Stars on
Marble Arch  - MAL 700 - 1967
Ten Of The Best
Marble Arch Records - MAL 750 - 1967
The Wind Will Change Tomorrow 
PYE Golden Guinea  - GGL 0452  - 1970
Dickie Rock & The Miami Showband
Hallmark Records - HMA 233 - 1972
Miami Country
Emerald Records - GES 1126 - 1973


Audio Clips

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?   (Coming Soon-incomplete)

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