Airchords Photo Gallery

Formed by members of the Irish Air Corps, the Airchords came together in 1960. Two years after graduating from the Technical Training Squadron, Archie Raeside was on duty one night at the Officer’s Mess gate and was visited by two former student colleagues. They were Paddy O’Meara and Sean Kinsella.

“We are thinking of forming a Showband and thought you might be interested - what do you think?” the boys asked Archie. He liked the idea and was pleased they considered him for the job of trumpeter so he said, “count me in.” The original ‘line-up’ included Paddy O’Meara (tenor sax and piano), Seanie Kinsella (drums), and Archie (trumpet). Then came Arthur O'Neill (tenor and alto sax), Myles Mooney (guitar), Ernie Berkenheier (bass) and Mick McNamara (vocals).

Archie takes up the story, "Colonel W. J. Keane, our commanding officer, gave permission for us to use a room in the dining block for practice. In order to play in most dance halls and ballrooms around the country it was important to become a member of The Irish Federation of Musicians, so they were contacted and a date set for us to take the test. First we were questioned individually in the theory of music and then as a band, we performed a couple of numbers. Having passed the test and gained admittance to the federation we turned our attention to image. Like other Showbands, we appeared clean-shaven, well groomed and wearing white shirt, bow tie and a blazer, complete with pocket crest."

The band was initially managed by Nobby O'Reilly and for the first few years, like most of the showbands in the early 1960's the band continued to do their "day jobs" and it wasn't until the mid sixties that they took the major step of turning professional. Archie was the first to leave the band when he was selected as the official photographer to accompany the first Irish United Nations troops to serve overseas since the foundation of the state. Details of his role and of the members of the 32^nd. and 33^rd. Battalions, in what was an historic and groundbreaking operation for the Irish Defence Forces are recorded in his book, The Congo-1960. Myles Mooney was also sent to the Congo and was "replaced" by Liam Hurley, who would turn out to be a significant addition to the band as he wrote songs and handled the band's musical arrangements. However, Myles did return and return the band a year later.

Archie was initially replaced by Phil O'Reilly.

More to come......   

Photo Gallery

Click on thumbnails for full images

Line Up History (More to come)

Discography

Singles:

A Knock On The Door / Yeah, You My Girl
Columbia Records - IDB.743 - 1965
Are You Sincere / Here I Stand
Columbia Records - IDB 746 - 1965
Worry / Run Samson Run
Pye Records - 7N.17075 - 1966
The Leaving Of Liverpool / Don't You Believe It - #6 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17227 - November, 1966
The Irish Soldier / Big Job - #3 Irish Charts
Pye Records -  7N.17304 - April, 1967
Treat Me Daughter Kindly / Cathedral In The Pines - #1 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17421 - November, 1967
The Ring Your Mother Wore / I'll Take You Where The Music's Playing
Pye Records - 7N.17480 - February, 1968
Kinsale / Harbour Of Love
Pye Records - 7N.17526 - May, 1968
Piccolo Man / Walking On New Grass - #16 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17614 - October, 1968
The Battle's O'er / Sing Me Back Home
Pye Records - 7N.17805 - June, 1969
Kevin Barry / Limbo Rock
Pye Records - 7N.17822 - November, 1969
Loughlin / The Streets Of Dungannon
Pye Records - 7N.17929 - 1970
When We Were Young / Hush A Bye Boy - #1 Irish Charts
Ruby Records - RUB.121 - March, 1971
Three Good Reasons / Here I Stand - #12 Irish Charts
Ruby Records - RUB.136 - August, 1971
I Only Live To Love You / Longing To Hold You
Ruby Records - RUB.148 - 1971
This Is My Lovely Day / The Banks Of My Own Lovely Lee
Ruby Records - RUB.156 - 1972

Albums:

The Irish Soldier
Marble Arch - MAL.1175 -

Audio Clips

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Where Are They Now?   (Coming Soon)

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