Arrows Feature (1969-1972
then became Dickie's Band)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
Pat Egan first announced the formation of the Arrows in his Beat
column in Spotlight on February 15th, 1969 when he said that Eamonn
Gibney had left the Purple Pussycats to join a showband to be
managed by the Tom Doherty Organisation, which would be called the
Arrows. An article a month later described the band as "protégés" of
the Miami and that they would be managed by former Miami leader Joe
Tyrell, who was a Director of Miami Ltd. As was the rage in the late sixties, the beat scene in
Dublin was being decimated by the defection of its stars to the
showband scene. Although it is doubtful they complained much as
those that went finally started making some real money, although
they generally gave up some of their artistic integrity in the
process.
P.J. Coyne, formerly with the Grassband, was recruited as drummer
with the new outfit.
Irish-American singer Dave Heenan joined the band in summer, 1969,
but left after a few weeks to return to the United States. He was
replaced in September, 1969 by Mick Roche who had previously been
with Dublin group, The Vampires (they also lost lead singer Tony
Kenny to the Sands showband a couple of years earlier).
In
January 1972, the band added two female singers, Wendy Hutchinson
(sister-in-law of John Farrell) and Maria Dowdall, bringing their lineup to nine, one of the largest
on the circuit at the time. In June, 1972, not long after the girls
joined, the band headed on to Canada for a six week tour, but came back
without their lead singer, Mick Roche. Mick decided to stay in
Canada with The Dublin Corporation (formerly The Pacific) who had
emigrated to the country in 1971. He was taking over from Stuart
Smith who was temporarily filling in after the departure of Peter
Law, who had left the band. Peter came back to Ireland and was
trying to make it on the cabaret scene.
A
couple of months later, in September, 1972 Dickie Rock announced he
was leaving the Miami and the Arrows were drafted as his new backing
band. The Arrows became Dickie's Band. In April, 1973, Fran
Dennis left the band.
More to come......
click on thumbnails for full image
