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

The Story

It didn't happen very often on the showband scene, but once in a while, a the band became "bigger" than any of the stars that took front stage. Of course, it could also be argued that the singers "made" the band, and that was the case many times. However, bands like the Nevada and Miami, always seemed to be at the top, no matter who fronted the band.

Tracing the history of the Nevada is a little difficult without some direct information from the members themselves, but through articles and photos, we can put together a pretty good timeline of the band's history.  

The Nevada showband was officially launched on St. Stephen's Night, (December 26th) 1964 in the Premier Ballroom in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The band was being managed by George O'Reilly. Sligo's Maisie McDaniel had been fronting her own group, The Fendermen, when George decided the band needed the "glamour" of a female vocalist. Maisie had been seen regularly on RTE television and had become a big name herself. The band was billed as "Ireland's Greatest Double Attraction," and hit the road after Christmas, 1964. However, less than a month later, on January 21, 1965, Maisie was seriously injured in a car accident and was replaced by Eileen Kelly, a young singer who had fronted The Music Makers in 1964. She dropped her first name and "Kelley and the Nevada" was born.

In the beginning, Jim O'Connor did not play bass, but was mostly a vocalist. However, he did not want to take the spotlight. Although not a top draw as of yet, the band played a good brand of pop music and were one of the first bands to break with the showband tradition of being all things to all people. Kelley herself was sold as the "blond bombshell," and the band's popularity continued to rise.

The band still needed a male "frontman" and for a short time, had an English vocalist who called himself Val Tino. Then in late 1967, the band added crooner, Roly Daniels to its ranks, who they lured away from Jim Farley's band. They also underwent a major shakeup with their lineup. Tommy took over the band's management and new members included Bunty Hayden (sax) and Liam Hurley (guitar), Willie Walsh (trumpet), and Danny Ellis (trombone).

Although later known as a country singer, at this stage in his a career, Roly was billed as Ireland's answer to Tom Jones. Not long after, Danny was replaced by Val Kearney, who came from The Jackpots. The band continued to grow in popularity and by early 1971 were a major draw across the country. They enjoyed some chart success with several of Roly's singles reaching the lower regions of the Irish Charts. 

Probably the single most important change in their lineup came in March, 1971 when Roly left to pursue a career in country music and formed his own band, Green County. He was replaced by Liam's brother, Brian "Red" Hurley, a young singer who had enjoyed some success with his bands, Colours and Wheels. Red's debut with the Nevada was on March 16, 1971 at the Stella Ballroom in Limerick, fresh off his appearance in the Irish National Song Contest.

Red's boyish good looks and strong vocal ballad style complemented Kelley and the rest of the band perfectly. For the next few years, they won every awards poll in the country with Red and Kelley continually being voted top vocalists. Although Red had sung Going Away in the 1971 Irish National Song Contest and finished second to Angela Farrell, the band instead released Sometimes. The song was a smash success and reached Number 1 in the Irish Charts. In fact, the band would enjoy an unprecedented run of chart success as over the next four years, placing eight singles in the Top five (including three Number Ones). During the early seventies, the band could do no wrong.

However, the band was dealt a serious blow when they were involved in car accident. Liam would retire from the road after a serious car accident, but became one of Ireland's top record producers. An interesting fact about the band, and one of the secrets to their continued success, is that the core lineup of Jim, Peter, Bunty, Val and Willie would remain together for over a decade. 

However, by late 1974, Kelley had grown tired of the constant traveling and was offered the opportunity to replace Twink in Brendan Bowyer's Big 8 band. The Big 8 spent most of the year in Las Vegas, coming home to Ireland for the summers only. Kelley accepted the band's offer and the band continued on with Red out front. Kelley's departure marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for the band as singers came and went over the next ten years. Although the band continued to operate in the upper echelon of Irish bands, they never again recaptured the dominance they had enjoyed in the early 1970's.

At almost the same time, Red Hurley shocked the showband world by announcing he was also leaving to embark on his solo career and left the band. The following year he was chosen to represent Ireland in Eurovision.

Reeling from the loss of the two stars that had catapulted the band to the top, they recruited two top class replacements: well known singer Glen Curtin, who had previously fronted the New Blues and had several hits under his belt; and Tina Reynolds, who had just represented Ireland at Eurovision singing "Cross Your Heart," penned by Chips' leader, Paul Lyttle. She also had chart topping hits with the Real McCoy in the early 70's and had broken into the business in 1964 with The Mexicans.  Tina had almost died in a car accident in the early 70's with The Real McCoy, but made a strong comeback.

However, Glen's style never seemed to quite "fit" with the Nevada and although he and Tina worked well together after a bumpy start, after only twelve months, he decided to leave the band. In 1975, Tommy Hayden, the Nevada's manager, helped Glen put together his own "Galaxy Band" which included female vocalist Lisa Love. That band would also recruit Fergie McElligot on guitar who would eventually join the Nevada in the early 80's. 

Glen's replacement was Ronnie Medford and the band continued to do well. However, in 1976, the band was involved in another accident, this time Tina receiving injuries to her legs. Although she recovered, within two years, she would retire. In 1977, Ronnie decided it was time to move on and he left to be replaced by young vocalist Roy Taylor. Roy and Tina also worked well together, but in late 1978, Tina announced her retirement, based mainly on recurring problems she had after her two accidents and the stress of life on the road.

Tina was replaced by Dublin cabaret artist Karen Black (Maeve Walsh) and the band maintained a loyal following. However, before the seventies were over, Jim O'Connor, the final remaining original member left the band, along with Val Kearney. Jim was replaced by Brian Tyrell on bass. As the 1980's progressed, the band managed to stay together, but the glory days were over.

In the early 80's the band did a nice business, and although a good pop band, they were definitely helped by the name recognition which came with The Nevada. In 1983, the band release it's final single, Mulligan and Me featuring Roy Taylor, although their last chart appearance had been in 1979.

As the showband era truly ended by the mid 80's, the remaining "heart" of the Nevada, Bunty and Willie, realized that the bands days were numbered as brass not only disappeared from the showband scene, but from the chart records and were replaced by synth sounds. Unfortunately as they were both brass players, their only option was to downsize the band. By 1983, Roy Taylor had moved onto bass, and the band was down to a five piece, but within two years he had left to form Jump The Gun and the Nevada were no more.

One of the truly great bands, the Nevada remained one of the top showbands of the entire era, moving from showband to pop band and through a plethora of lead singers, always providing dancers with what they wanted, good music and a good show.

(Some info for this feature from "Send Em Home Sweatin" by Vincent Power.) 

Nevada Photo Gallery 

click on thumbnails for full image

Maisie McDaniel & The Nevada - 1965 (DL)	Maisie McDaniel & The Nevada - 1965	Article - January 1965	Kelly & The Nevada (BK)	Kelley & The Nevada - 1966 (LR)
Roly, Kelley & The Nevada - 1969 (LR)	Roly, Kelley & The Nevada - 1969 (PB)	Red Hurley, Kelly & The Nevada - 1971	Jim O'Connor - 1971	Kelley - 1972
Red Hurley, Kelly & The Nevada - 1973	Tina at Eurovision - 1974	Red Hurley, Kelly & The Nevada - 1974	Red Hurley, Kelly & The Nevada - 1974	Tina, Glen Curtin & The Nevada - 1975
Ronnie Medford - 1976	Nevada - 1976 (PH)	Nevada (PH)	Nevada (PH)	Tina, Roy Taylor & The Nevada - 1978 (DD)
Tina of the Nevada (PH)	Tina and Roy of the Nevada (PH)	Nevada (PH)	Tina Reynolds - 1978	Roy Taylor, Karen Black & The Nevada - 1980
The Nevada - 1980 (PH)	Karen Black, Roy Taylor and the Nevada - 1981	Roy Taylor, Karen Black & the Nevada (PH)	Karen Black of the Nevada	Roy Taylor (PH)
Nevada - 1971	Nevada - 1971	Nevada - 1971	Kelley - 1970	Kelley - 1970
Nevada - 1971	Tina & Ronnie Medford of the Nevada	Article - March, 1971	Red Hurley Article	Nevada - 1981 (DH)
Roly Daniels - 1971 (KS)	Red Hurley (KS)	Nevada (KS)	Nevada (PH)	Nevada
Nevada	Coming Soon	Coming Soon	Coming Soon	Coming Soon
Record Sleeves
A - Nevada - 1973	B - Nevada - 1973	A - Nevada - 1972	B - Nevada - 1972	A - Nevada - 1972
B - Nevada - 1972	A - Nevada - 1980	B - Nevada - 1980	A - Nevada - 1971	B - Nevada - 1971
A - Nevada - 1971	B - Nevada - 1971	Coming Soon	Coming Soon	Coming Soon

Lineup Changes

Other members: Sean Moran, Jimmy Compton

Partial Discography (Singles):  

Be My Man / Here Comes My Baby (featuring Kelley)
RCA Records - RCA 1507 - 1966
Loser In The Race / Let Me Love You (featuring Roly Daniels)
CBS Records - CBS 3625 - 1968
Love Is A Symphony / Another Teardrop Falls (featuring Roly Daniels) - #18 Irish Charts
CBS Records - CBS 3754 - Nov, 1968
Good Lovin' / Hokey Cokey - #16 Irish Charts
Target Records - 7N.17749 - May, 1969
Angel, She Was Love / Poor Boy From Kentucky (featuring Roly Daniels) - #10 Irish Charts
CBS Records - CBS 4297 - July, 1969
Taker A Letter Maria / Run Diane (featuring Roly Daniels) - #16 Irish Charts
CBS Records - CBS 4748 - Jan, 1970
My Mother's Home / I Love Only You (featuring Kelley)
Target Records - 7N.17971 - 1970
Christmastime In Inishfree / 99 Years (featuring Jim O'Connor)
Release Records - RL.558 - Dec, 1970
Take Good Care Of Her / The Carroll County Accident (featuring Jim O’ Connor)
Release Records - RL.569 - 1971
Sometimes / I'll Be Home (featuring Red Hurley) - #1 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 03 - April, 1971
Kiss Me Goodbye / Bring Back The Good Times (featuring Red Hurley) - #1 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 06 - Oct, 1971
Hold Me / Trudy (featuring Red Hurley) - #3 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 19 - April, 1972
How Great Thou Art / Just An Old Fashioned Love Song (featuring Kelley) - #5 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 44 - Dec, 1972
Arkansas / Hold Me Just One More Time (featuring Red Hurley) - #2 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 53 - Feb, 1973
I Never Said Goodbye / I’d Like To Teach You (featuring Red Hurley) - #5 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 63 - August, 1973
The Wedding Song (There Is Love) / Back Streets (featuring Kelley) - #3 Irish Charts
Desert Records - SAND 501 - May, 1974
All Through The Night / Macushla Mine (featuring Glen Curtin & Tina) - #1 Irish Charts
Polydor Records - 2078.053 - Dec, 1974
This Time / Little Girl (featuring Glen Curtin)
Release Records - RL.770 - April, 1975
What Colour Is God's Skin / "ITA" (featuring Ronnie Medford)
Release Records - RL.795 - Fall, 1975
Bump, Bump / Make A Little Sunshine Shine (featuring Ronnie Medford)
Release Records - RL.824 - 1976
I’d Do It All Again / Tell Me What’s The Matter (featuring Tina) - #3 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.848 - Oct, 1976
My World Gets Smaller Everyday / S.O.S. (featuring Ronnie Medford)
Release Records - RL.872 - 1977
All My life / Where Are You (featuring Tina)
Release Records - RL.888 - 1977
I'll Never Forget Your Name (featuring Roy Taylor)
Release Records - RL.890 - 1977
Don’t Stop The Carousel / Every Face Tells A Story (featuring Roy Taylor) - #7 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.906 - 1977
Kansas City Sunrise / Call Me (featuring Roy Taylor)
Release Records - RL.925 - 1978 
My Beautiful You / The Morning After (featuring Roy Taylor)
Release Records - RL.943 - 1978 
Viva L’Amour / Who Was That Lady (I Saw You With Last Night) (featuring Tina)
Release Records - RL.944 - Nov, 1978
Hi Mi Amore / Four Strong Winds (featuring Roy Taylor & Karen Black) - #16 Irish Charts
Spider Records - WEB 007 - June, 1979
Isn’t It Magic / Love A Little Bit Longer (featuring Roy Taylor & Karen Black)
Spider Records - WEB 019 - 1979
Weile Weile Waille / No Time To Tango (featuring Roy Taylor & Karen Black)
Spider Records - WEB 022 - 1979
Walk In The Park / Bring Back You’re Lovin’ (featuring Roy Taylor & Karen Black)
Spider Records - WEB 028 - 1980
Joys Of Love / No Time To Tango (featuring Roy Taylor & Karen Black)
Spider Records - WEB 040 - 1980
My Pet Parrott / Baby If I Can’t Have You (featuring Roy Taylor & Karen Black)
Spider Records - WEB 042 - 1981
All I Want To Do/My Pet Parrott (featuring Roy Taylor & Karen Black)
Drive Records - DRS 008 - 1982
Mulligan and Me / Lady Blue Eyes (featuring Roy Taylor)
Libra Records - LHS 004 - 1983

Audio Clips

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?   (Coming soon)

	Brian O'Brien:
	Jimmy Clarke:
	Jack McGuiness:
	Wally Meehan:
	Mark Leech:
	Jim O'Connor: Jim retired from the road in the late 1970's and went into management. Through the 1980's he was managing The Conquerors.
	Tommy Hayden: Tommy went on to management and started what would become one of the largest management companies of the era, T.H.E. At one point the company started its own record label as well.
	Maisie McDaniel: After her injury, Maisie settled in Sligo and married accordion wizard, Fintan Stanley. For many years, she and Fintan played the cabaret circuit, doing very well. Some years ago, they parted company and Fintan now lives in the United States while Maisie remained in Sligo. Although retired from touring, she still sings occasionally at special events. Their daughter, Lisa Stanley now performs in Ireland.
	Peter Hayden: Peter left the band in 1979 and we understand from Peter Kinsey that he is still passionate about the showbands. These days, Peter works for Mercedes and lives in the U.K.
	Bunty Hayden: Peter Kinsey tells us Bunty works at Greystones Tennis Club in Wicklow these days.
	(Eileen) Kelley:
	Pat Neary:
	Roly Daniels: Roly left the Nevada in the early 70's and formed Green County. He enjoyed great success on the country scene in Ireland racking up several major hits before going solo.
	Liam Hurley: Liam left the Nevada after being seriously injured in a car accident. Although he never returned to the bandstand, he became one of Ireland's best known session musicians and record producers.
	Willie Walsh: Peter Kinsey writes to tell us Willie now lives with his family in Watford in the U.K.
	Danny Ellis: When Danny left the band, he went to New York to study with the Guru Maharaji Ji. That move lead him on a quest of self discovery that has lasted over 30 years, Danny still plays and writes music and has recently made a CD called This Tenderness which Danny describes as "simply a way for me to express my journey to joy, my longing for more of the same and my gratitude to life..." You can read more about Danny at www.dannyellis.net.
	(Brian) Red Hurley: After leaving the Nevada, Red formed his own Red Hurley band and continued to tour the ballrooms for a few years. However, at the same time, he moved into the growing cabaret scene and when the end of the ballroom era came in the mid 80's, Red was already established as one of the top cabaret artists in the country. He is still very active on the entertainment scene today and plays regular gigs both at home and abroad. He also plays regularly in charity golf tournaments both in Ireland and the United States.
	Val Kearney: Peter Kinsey writes to tell us Val is still in the entertainment business and currently manages a disco in Naas.
	Tina (Reynolds):
	Glen Curtin:
	Ronnie Medford:
	Brian Tyrell:
	Roy Taylor:
	Karen Black:
	Des Hickey:
	Gene Berrill: