The largest digital showband archive in the world!
Based In Sligo, Ireland / email: showbands@gmsproductions.com

CLICK FOR:     FREE FORUM        HOME PAGE        GUESTBOOK      MAKE A DONATION

Dazzle Band Gallery (1974-1979)

Photo Gallery - Band Lineups - Discography - Audio samples - Where Are They Now?

The Story

Ballymena-born Cahir O'Doherty had been on the Irish beat scene in both Dublin and Belfast with his band The Gentry for many years before he got involved in musicals with parts in both Jesus Christ Superstar (as Pilate) and in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (as Pharaoh) in 1974. It was while he was starring in Joseph that he decided to leave the beat scene behind and start the Dazzle Band to play the ballroom and cabaret circuits.

The first mention of the band we can find is May, 1974. They were playing a mixture of ballrooms and Dublin cabaret spots like the Embankment, The Hitchin Post and The Drake Inn. In the early days, Cahir was splitting his time starring in the show and then performing with the band.

The band released its first single, "Song of the King," which was from the musical Joseph and was credited on the label as only Cahir O'Doherty (which often indicated it was the singer who was singed to a recording contract and not the entire band). The B-side was written by Cahir called "Little Girl." The single reached number 9 in the charts, a great start for any new band.

In November, the band released a follow-up single, "Rock, Rock Sham-A-Ram" which was written and produced by John Drummond. Although not as popular as their first offering the single did make number 18 in the Irish charts and received plenty of airplay, helping further enhance the band's reputation in the ballrooms.

By the start of 1975, the band was doing very well on the ballroom circuit and riding high on a mini "rock n' roll revival" which was sweeping the country. They took advantage playing gigs up and down the country and Cahir soon settled into a new title as "king of rock n' roll." They also still maintained their presence on the Dublin cabaret scene as well. 

In August, Cahir released his first album, "Rock My Soul" which included a wide variety of standard rock n roll hits as well as his two singles and a new track written by Cahir called "Princess" and one written by John Drummond, "Rock My Soul." He also released the single "Barefootin" which received good airplay but did not chart.

By 1976, the Dazzle Band was firmly established as one of the country's top "pop" bands in a field that included bands like The Memories, Chips and Tweed. However, it was Cahir who most often was in the spotlight. In July, he announced his engagement to "Miss Ireland" Julie Ann Farnham and they became one of the most famous couples in the country. 

In November, 1979, Henry McGlade reported in his Pop Around column in the Connaught Telegraph that Cahir had a new band called "Beats Working." The band would last long and wee could only find three mentions of them in the archive but only one or two actual gig adverts. We also found an advert for the Dazzle band on in May, 1980, but no other mention of the band since Sept 1979, so they must have gone off the road once Cahir left.

The "new" band, Beats Working" would also go off the road in late 1979 and around April, 1980, Cahir would emigrate to the United States with wife Julie and son, Shannon, settling in Florida where he still lives and works today.              

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image

Dazzle Band - 1974 Dazzle Band - 1974 Cahir - 1974 (RF) Cahir - 1974 (RF) Cahir - 1975
Dazzle Band - 1975 Cahir O'Doherty (TP) Dazzle Band - 1975 (RF) Cahir - 1976 Cahir - 1976
Dazzle Band (RF) Dazzle Band (RF) Cahir - 1977 Dazzle Band - 1975 Dazzle Band - 1979
Years Vocals Guitar Bass Drums Keyboards Sax Trumpet
               
               
               
               

Discography

Singles:
Song of the King
/ Little Girl* - #9 Irish Charts
EMI Records - EMD 4015 - July, 1974
Rock Rock Sham-A-Ram
/ In the Still of the Night - #18 Irish Charts
EMI Records - EMD 5010 - November, 1974
Barefootin' / Please Cross the Border*
EMI Records - EMD 5028 - August, 1975
Runaround Sue / Princess**
EMI Records - EMD 5067 - 1977
Million Dollar Man / She's Got Something*
Polydor Records - 2078 103 - July, 1979

* A sides written by John Drummond, B-sides written by Cahir O'Doherty
** written by Cahir O'Doherty

Albums:
Rock My Soul - Cahir O'Doherty

EMI Records - LEAF 7006 - 1976
Salute to Elvis - Cahir O'Doherty
CBS Records - CBS.9221 - 1977

Audio Clips

         
Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?  

Cahir O'Doherty:
Band Member:
Band Member:
Band Member:
Band Member:
Band Member:

 


© 2002-2020 GMS Productions

In Loving Memory of Grant Gallagher: Sept. 21, 1990 - Nov. 18, 2006