Pat Ely Photo Gallery (1968-1975)

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

The Story

Galway's Des Kelly of the famous Capitol Showband saw the trend of country music coming to the showband scene before anyone else had a chance to react. In 1968 he put together a new type of band, naming them the Smokey Mountain Ramblers. He wanted something totally different, not like Big Tom or Larry Cunningham (both of whom were more "country n' Irish). He put together a great team of country and bluegrass musicians and needed a lead singer to complete the picture.

He tapped newcomer Pat Ely as the band's front man. 

In the early seventies, Pat spent a short time fronting The Storytellers, a band that would eventually back Susan McCann. He then formed The Rocky Tops which continued throughout the seventies. Although Pat retired from constant touring in the early 80's, he regularly reforms The Rocky Tops for special gigs.

More to come.....

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image

Discography (Incomplete)

Smokey Mountain Ramblers:
Ballad Of Amelia Earhart / Bile Them Cabbage Down (Pat Ely)
Dolphin Records - DOS.5 - 1968
Little Folk (Pat Ely) - #13 Irish Charts
Dolphin Records - Unknown - January, 1969
I'll Remember Your Love In My Prayers (Pat Ely)
Dolphin Records - Unknown - May, 1969
But You Love Me Daddy (Pat Ely) - #15 Irish Charts
Ruby Records - Unknown - March, 1970
Just Beyond The Moon (Pat Ely) - #8 Irish Charts
Ruby Records - RUB.117 - December, 1970
The Pilgrim (Tony O'Leary) / Popping Corn (Dave Kearney)
Ruby Records - RUB.151 - 1972

Smokeys:
Kathleen / Happy Street (Pat Ely) - #9 Irish Charts
Ruby Records - RUB.143 - March, 1972

Rocky Tops:
All I Have To Offer You Is Me (Pat Ely)
Release Records - Unknown - October, 1972

Audio Clips

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?   (Coming Soon)

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