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Paddy Cole/ Paddy Cole Band/Superstars Photo Gallery

One of Ireland's most respected musicians, Paddy Cole started his career with the Maurice Lynch Band before moving on to the legendary Capitol Showband in the 1960's. When Brendan Bowyer and Tom Dunphy left the Royal Showband, they tapped Paddy to play sax and serve as bandleader for their new venture, The Big Eight. Also in the Big Eight was Twink, as well as Paddy's old Capitol mate, Mickey O'Neill on drums. After a relatively short time, Twink left the band, unable to mesh the hectic schedule of six months in Las Vegas and six in Ireland with her family life.

Shortly thereafter, Paddy, feeling the same way, announced his intention to leave the band to form a new outfit. To his surprise, most of the band agreed and went with him. The split made headlines in the late summer of 1974 and the new band, The Paddy Cole Band, made their debut in the Tara Ballroom, Dublin in October.

Leaving the Big Eight with Paddy were Jimmy Conway (guitar), Michael Keane (keyboards), and Mickey O'Neill (drums). Paddy was also able to coax Twink back on the road and completed the band with some old friends, Mike Dalton (of the Capitol-bass), Ray Moore (ex Plattermen-trumpet), and ex-Bye Laws vocalist, Pat Morris on vocals.

Within a very short time, the band's lineup changed with Colm Hughes (formerly with Harvest) replacing Pat Morris and Mickey O'Neill as he was a dummer as well, and Jimmy Smith (The Big Valley) replacing Jimmy Conway on guitar. Michael Keane also left the band, leaving them as a six piece for a time.

The Paddy Cole Superstars were on the road in the late 70's and early 80's but in 1980 or 1981, Paddy left the band, which for a time kept the name Paddy Cole's Superstars, even though Paddy was no longer playing with the band. Eventually Paddy's name was dropped and the band continued as Colm Hughes and the Superstars.

More to come....  

Click on thumbnails for full images

Capitol Showband - 1961 Capitol Showband - 1962 (JB) Capitol Showband - 1963 (LR) Capitol Showband (LR) Paddy Cole of the Capitol in 1966 (LR)
Capitol Showband - 1966 (LR) Capitol Showband - 1966 (LR) Capitol - 1968 (RK) Capitol Showband - 1969 (TP) The Capitol Showband - 1970 (KS)
Big Eight - 1971 Big 8 - 1971

Big Eight (KS)

Big Eight (LR) Big Eight - 1972
Paddy Cole Superstars (JB) Paddy Cole Superstars - 1974 (DL) Paddy Cole Superstars - 1979 Colm Hughes and Paddy Cole's Superstars Paddy Cole Superstars - 1978 (PH)
Colm Hughes & The Superstars (PH) Thunderalley (PH) Colm Hughes of the Superstars (PH) Colm Hughes & Superstars (PH) Paddy Cole's Superstars (PH)
Colm Hughes & Superstars (PH) Paddy Cole Superstars (PH) Paddy Cole's Superstars (PH) Paddy Cole Superstars (PH) Paddy Cole Superstars (PH)

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