THE CASCADES SHOWBAND ……….By Eddie Baillie & Robert Magee.
The Belfast Showband “The
Cascades” were formed in 1967/68 by Billy Skelly (Organ & Vocals).
The rest of the line up was Ricky Craig (Vocals) Eddie Baillie
(Drums), Jimmy Hamilton (Rhythm & Vocals) Archie Craig (Mandolin)(no
relation to Ricky), Michael McWilliams (Lead Guitar). All these guys
except for Michael, were members of The Belfast Fire Brigade.
Sax player (Frankie Best) was
added to the line up, as was Trumpeter Spencer Richie
In the beginning the band
played pubs & clubs…The Grove Tavern, The Edinburgh Castle, The
Gibraltar, The Ulster Lounge, The Diamond Bar, The Queens Court
Hotel, Bangor.
In 1967/68, Victor Stewart
(Trumpet) joined the band replacing Spencer. Archie Craig left and
Bass player Jimmy Brannigan Joined. Jimmy Hamilton was replaced in
69 by Roy Fleming. Ricky Craig’s place was filled by Roy(?) (Vocals)
The line up
From R. to L. Victor Stewart (Trumpet),Billy Skelly (Organ &Vocals),
Frankie Best(Sax.) Jim Brannigan(Bass Guitar), Roy..(?) (Vocals),
Roy Fleming (Guitar/Vocals) and Eddie Baillie (Drums/Perc.). Sax
Player Frankie was replaced by Robert Magee in the summer/autumn of
1968.
I (Robert
Magee, formerly of The Oceans Showband) introduced Harry Dalzell to
the band as replacement to Vocalist (Roy(?) .I think this was in 69.
I located Jim Campbell
(formerly of The Cousins Showband) who joined the band in
1970/71(?)replacing JimBrannigan(Bass).
Maxims, Belfast 69/70.…from L. to R. Billy Skelly- Jimmy Hamilton -
Harry Dalzell -Eddie Baillie - Victor Stewart - Robert Magee.
I left the band
in February 1972, emigrating to Germany with my German wife and our
son. My last gig before leaving the band was a factory do on the
Castlereagh Road. (might’ve been Electrolux) & there was a Sax
player doing an audition on stage with us. I ‘m not sure if he
joined the band, but he wasn’t with them when I next saw the boys.
We visited my Mother for a year or two at Christmas time 1973 and
busked with the boys in the Europa Hotel, Belfast. Eddie Baillie
(Drummer) recently contacted me through “The Irish Showband “ site.
Eddie was able
to fill me in on the remaining story of “The Cascades”.
Eddie tells me that Victor was
followed by trumpeter Evan Leathem. At one stage the band was 9
piece with female singer Amy Doyle (who now records religious
music). Paddy Gillen came in as Lead Guitar and stayed ‘till the
band closed down. Bobby Stinton joined as Bass Guitar/Vocals.
The Cascades Showband played “The Plaza” (Mecca ballroom), and were
resident band in” Maxims” along with “Ned McCruddens Trio”. They had
the distinction of opening “The Penthouse Suite” in the Europa
Hotel, Belfast, (the most bombed hotel in the world!) They also
played a lot of Parochial Halls & Orange halls, Short & Harlands
Club, Harland & Wolf Staff Club….and as the “Dance Halls” closed or
were taken over by Disc Jockeys they played firms and factory “dos”.
In 1974 the
boys were tired of running about, and so the band was reduced to a
trio:- Billy Skelly (Organ/Vocals), Paddy Gillen (Guitar) and Eddie
Bailey (Drums). The trio became resident in The Ulster Sport Club,
Ann Street. “Bo Birch” became compare and Vocalist with the
remaining three until 1982. Eddie And Paddy left in September 1985.
Trumpet player Spencer Ritchie has past away.
I
heard that Jim Campbell emigrated to Canada with his wife somewhere
around 1976.
Billy Skelly emigrated to the USA
where he apparently remarried. I received a letter from Billy, post
marked California in 1986 in which he sent his condolences on the
death of our son.(don’t know how he knew about it). I wrote back but
never got a reply, maybe he had moved on.
In July (2007)
Brigitte & I visited Eddie in Belfast - It was great seeing him and
Maureen again. I was meant to visit Victor Mawhinney the old
Guitarist from the Oceans Showband, but I’ve lost his contact
details. I’d have liked to see him again.
At my age you
should do the important things today and not leave them ‘till
tomorrow. Although I’ve always said “tomorrow’s another day.” ….Now
I’m saying “ It won’t be long ‘till after a while!”
To all the
musicians I've known - enjoy the rest of your life.
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