Sands Showband (1967-1980?)

The story of the Sands in many ways reflects the story of the showband era. Formed following a break from one of the country's biggest showbands, and despite major changes in personnel, breakups and splits, the Sands managed to stay both relevant and popular for over a decade.

The founding members of the Sands were originally from the Miami Showband, which featured showband legend, Dickie Rock. In late 1967, several key members of the Miami, led by Murty Quinn, split away and formed their own band (as did several of the showbands in the late 1960's as the scene began to change). Leaving Dickie behind, they needed a new front man and found one when they asked Tony Kenny, a young singer with a Dublin beat group called the Vampires, to be their lead singer. Very much a "pop" singer back then, his first two singles (starting in 1967) were covers of Help Me Rhonda, and Yummy Yummy Yummy.

To complete the new outfit, band leader, Murty Quinn added guitar player Bobby Kelly and drummer Fran Byrne. Both musicians, like Tony, had been playing on Ireland's growing "beat scene." Bobby had previously been with The Greenbeats as well as The Chosen Few and had actually stood in with the Miami when guitarist Clem Quinn had his appendix removed. The Sands hit the ballroom scene in October 1967 and within a short time were one of the top bands in the country, partially because of the reputation their founders had enjoyed as part of the Miami, but mostly because of the band's youthful and energetic music, as well as they good looks and vocals talents of Tony. Their first single, Help Me Rhonda, was a hit and reached number 9 in the Irish Charts.  

In the late sixties and early seventies Tony and the Sands enjoyed great success and each of their first four singles cracked the Irish Top Ten. They borrowed heavily from major American pop acts such as Tony Orlando, releasing covers of songs such as Venus, Dance Dance Dance, Candida and Knock Three Times.

However, in late 1972, Tony, Bobby and Fran decided it was time to leave the band. Tony started his solo career and enjoyed chart success in England when he recorded Heart of Stone as "Kenny" using a falsetto voice. The number, a Coulter-Martin composition produced by Phil Coulter and Mickie Most, reached number 11 in England. The record was a huge success and he followed it up with Give It To Me Now which also charted. However, despite gaining international acclaim, Tony abandoned the name Kenny and returned to Ireland. In the meantime, the records had been so successful that producer Mickie Most, took a local English band and renamed them Kenny to capitalize on Tony's initial success.

Tony decided to pursue a career on the Dublin musical stage when he took the lead in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He would later return to the ballroom circuit in the late 1970's with his own Tony Kenny Band. Meanwhile, the Sands continued, as Murty Quinn took over lead vocals and the band continued to enjoy success as one of the original "crossover" bands. Following Tony's departure, they drafted female vocalist, Tara, who shared the spotlight and lead vocal duties with Murty.

In October, 1973 Stuart Bingham (guitar), one of the most traveled musicians of the year, moved from Paul Lyttle's short lived Lyttle People to The College Boys and then on to the Sands, all within 12 months. He was joined by ex-Gentry member Gerry Mulryan (trumpet). Around the same time, Murty released a new single, Lonely Lady which managed to reach number 15 in the Irish charts.

However, by the end of 1973 Stuart, Tara and Murty had departed the band. Fran Troy, a 21 year old singer who had been working the English cabaret scene, was hired to take over the vocals slot and Tony Adams-Rosa came in on guitar. At this point Dennis Murray remained the only original member of the Sands to still be on stage. However, Dennis would leave by late 1974/early 1975 and was replaced by Noel Sheridan on bass. 

By late 1974, guitarist Tony left the band and was replaced by Dominic Greene. Around the same time, drummer Jimmy Compton, who had been with the Real McCoy a year earlier was contacted by Tommy O'Rourke, who was now managing the band, but no longer on the road himself.

The band put out a single, Is There Any Chance, which received decent airplays, but did little to enhance the band's success.     

By the early 80's they were, like many of the early showbands, only a memory.   More to come....             

Photo Gallery

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Discography

The Sands: (singles)

Help Me Rhonda / Some Enchanted Evening (Tony Kenny) - #9 Irish Charts
Tribune or Major Minor - MM 555 - January, 1968
Yummy Yummy Yummy / Peanuts (Tony Kenny) - #7 Irish Charts
Tribune or Major Minor - MM 573 - June, 1968
Dance Dance Dance/The Cheater (Tony Kenny) - #4 Irish Charts
Tribune Records - TRS.122 - November, 1968
Bubblegum Music / Sherry (Tony Kenny) - #6 Irish Charts
Tribune Records - TRS 129 - June, 1969
Venus / Cara Mia (Tony Kenny)
Major Minor - MM.681 - 1970
Walkin' In The Sun / Marlena (Tony Kenny) - #20 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.540 - August, 1970
Candida/Love Me Tender (Tony Kenny) - #6 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.553 - December, 1970
Knock Three Times / See You In September (Tony Kenny) - #5 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.576 - March 13, 1971
Lend A Helpin Hand (Murty Quinn) / The Sound Is Music (Tony Kenny) - #7 Irish Charts
RCA Records - RCA 2136 - October, 1971
She Is Me (Tony Kenny) / Salvation Sally (Murty Quinn)
RCA Records - RCA 2210 - 1972
As Usual / Top of the World (Tara)
Play Records - PLAY 37 - 1972
Julietta / Silvery Moon (Murty Quinn)
Hit Records - HIT 12 - 1973
Lonely Lady / Sweet Dreams (Murty Quinn) - #15 Irish Charts
Solo Records - SOLO 119 - September, 1973
Annabelle (Sands) / Julie, Where Have You Gone (Eric Murray)
Solo Records - SOLO 123 - November, 1973
Hasta Mañana / One More Tear (Fran Troy) - #13 Irish Charts
EMI Records - IEMI45004 - August, 1974
Is There Any Chance / Teenage Heart (Jackie Kelly)
Release Records - RL.758 - September, 1975

Sands Albums:

Time With The Sands
Major Minor Records
Sand Doin's
Tribune Records

Audio Clips

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Where Are They Now?   Coming Soon

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