All About the Clipper Carlton
(1949-1969) & (1985-1987)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
Founded
in the late 1940's as Hugh Tourish and the Carlton, the Clippers are
credited with starting the whole showband craze in the late 1950's.
Up until that point all "orchestras," including the Clippers, sat
behind music stands and read their music, playing the dance hits of
the day and a wide range of musical styles. The only "frontmen" were
the bandleaders and the entire band divided the songs among the
members based on each musician's singing style.
One night in 1949, the band held a contest to
find a new name and the "Clipper Carlton" was born. In 1952 Victor
Craig took over the band's management and things started to change.
The original members were: Hugo Quinn (RIP-trumpet), Hugh Tourish
(RIP-keyboards-piano in those days), Terry Logue (RIP-sax/clarinet), Mick
O'Hanlon (drums), Art O'Hagan (bass), and Fergus O'Hagan (vocals).
Victor Fleming (RIP-trombone) joined the band in 1954 and the lineup was
set.
It was in 1954 that the band also stood up,
breaking tradition with the orchestras and big bands from England
and the States. Relying on memory to play the hits, they moved
around the stage and took to wearing snappy suits rather than
tuxedos, which was the norm at the time. The band also included a
special feature in their act called "Jukebox Saturday Night" in which
members of the band dressed up, impersonating the stars of the day.
They were one of the first to include a "show" in their act, but it
was Dave Glover, another Northern band, that actually coined the
term, "Showband." Dominic "Dom" Shearer joined the band as lead
singer in 1956 and their fame continued to spread far and wide. They
started touring England and the United States during Ireland's "off
season" - Lent.
Throughout
the fifties and into the early 1960's, the Clippers were one of the
biggest acts in Ireland, but they were a mature band compared to
many of their rivals like the Royal and Dixies. The rise of the
showband genre was taken over by younger, more charismatic
performers like Dickie Rock and Brendan Bowyer. Although excellent
talents, the Clippers lacked the excitement and power of the younger
bands and by 1964, just as the showband era was peaking, the
Clippers were seen as "yesterday's news."
In early 1964, the band split in two with Hugo
Quinn and the O'Hagan brothers continuing on as the Clippers while
Mick O'Hanlon, Dom Shearer and Victor Fleming formed the Santa Fe
Showband with George Galway, and Barney Skillen (guitar). Victor
Craig left the scene and Maurice Cassidy took over the management of
the Santa Fe.
In the meantime, the Clipper
Carlton continued on with a new lineup which included Art, Fergus
and Hugo along with newcomers Pat Lynch of the Airchords (vocals),
Paddy Courtney (drums),
Billy Brady (guitar), Jimmy Moore, (keyboards), and Neil Mc Mahon
(sax). George O'Reilly took over the management following Victor's
temporary retirement.
For a couple of years, both bands floundered,
neither able to come anywhere near the popularity of the original
band. Then in 1966, Cassidy suggested the band reform with the
original lineup. The idea paid off and for three years, the
Clippers enjoyed a rebirth with many of the dancers that had grown
up with them in the 1950's. Rumours abounded in mid 1969 that the
band was ready to break up, but an article in the September 12th
issue of Spotlight claimed Merv Allen had been signed as the band's
new lead vocalist.
By early 1970, the ride was over and
the band broke up again. Maurice Cassidy ran the Stardust Club in
Derry and eventually managed Tony Kenny and the Sands. The rest of
the band packed it in, returning to civilian life.
The final chapter in the history of the Clipper
Carlton started in 1985. Coming out of retirement, the band planned
to play a summer season that turned into two years. The only "original
member" not
on stage was Victor Fleming, who was replaced by Terry Duffy. Their
"Jukebox Saturday Night" was rekindled with a new name, "There's No
Business Like Show Business."
Unfortunately, it all came crashing down with
the death of Hugo Quinn in 1987.
Terry Logue, Hugo Quinn, Victor Fleming, and
Hugh Tourish have all passed away.
Fergie O'Hagan sadly passed away on February 24, 2007. Only two
members of the original Clippers survive today, Art O'Hagan and Mick
O'Hanlon.
More to come....
Photo Gallery
Click on thumbnails for full images
