Cromwell Feature (1971-1976)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
Having researched the Irish entertainment scene (including the rock
scene) for over a decade now, I would have to say Cromwell was one of
the most legitimate rock bands of the era. Not only were they on the
road for at least five years, the core of the band remained
unchanged and they released five singles and an album during that time.
Cromwell started life as a five
piece band and included Pat Brady (guitar), Michael Kiely (guitar),
Desmond Kiely (bass), Derek Dawson (drums) and Dave Kiely (vocals). The band first got a mention in
the Spotlight issue of May 29th, 1971. In his Group Scene
column, Pat Egan mentioned the boys briefly as a new band which
"showed promise." The band would not get a mention again until the
end of July when Pat described them as "one of the younger groups
making the most progress." In August, Pat further described the band
as having an image "between pop and heavy."
In mid November, 1971 lead singer
Dave Kiely and bass player Desmond Kiely left the band. Dave was reported to be joining a soft rock
group called Saga. In the same column, Pat Egan reported that the
boys needed a manager, although a week later he reported that the
band told him, they "have a manager." The band made a few
changes to adapt to the new lineup. Mick O'Hagan (brother of Sean
who is better know as Eurovision winner, Johnny Logan) replaced Dave
on lead vocals and Mike Kiely switched from guitar to bass.
As a quartet, the band continued
to grow in reputation and stature. Pat Brady recently wrote me to
say "Mick stayed with us for a year or
so and then he left."
Pat
continued, "At that point Michael Kiely and I (we had been writing
some songs together) started to share the vocal duties and we were
determined to make a go of it. We released our first single,
Guinness Rock, appeared on a number of RTE shows and began
touring Ireland. In those days
showbands ruled the ballrooms and there were not many rock bands
playing outside of Dublin and Cork. We built up a circuit and we
played in every county in Ireland as well as in Belfast and
Portadown in the North."
Pat followed up,
"Myself and Michael Kiely went on to form The Establishment which
was a folk duo. We released The Unfree Child and in 1979 went to
Dubai where we had great success at the Hilton Hotel. It was there
we wrote and released a hugely popular song, Life in the
Emirates, which is taught to school kids there to this day."
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
Discography
Singles:
Guinness Rock / You
Hate It To Turn
Cromwell Records - Unknown - March, 1973
Stomp
Stomp Stomp / Nothing Left To See
Cromwell Records - DOS.118 - February, 1974
Deal Me
In / Hoodwinked
Cromwell Records - Unknown - November, 1974
You Got It Made
/ You
Got It Made (acoustic)
Cromwell Records - Unknown - May, 1975
First Day
/ You Hate It To Turn
Cromwell Records - WELL006 - 1976
Album:
At The Gallop
Cromwell Records - Unknown - November, 1975
Audio Clips
Coming Soon
Where Are They Now?
