Starband (1978-1982)

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

The Story

After the horrific tragedy, in which Miami Showband members Fran O'Toole, Tony Geraghty, and Brian McCoy were murdered in a terrorist bombing attempt, the surviving members of the band, Des Lee (McAlea), Stephen Travers, and Ray Millar agreed to pick up the pieces and reformed the band. They returned to the road in late 1975 and enjoyed great success in the aftermath of the worst tragedy in Irish Showband history.

But in early 1978, after less than three years, Des and the lads decided it was time for a change and they made the bold move of leaving the Miami and going in a new direction. They drafted Adrian Mullen, long time keyboard player with Chips and Aongus McNally, a young guitarist who had enjoyed some early success in 1973 with his Celtic rock band, Mushroom. The lineup was rounded out with lead vocalist Julie Allen and the band was managed by future entertainment mogul, Louis Walsh. The band released a single in early 1979, Kiss Me, Kiss Your Baby on the release label, but the single would be re-released a year later on the WEA label. Although the first Julie was Julie Allen, she was replaced by Dee McMahon after less than a year.

In July, Des Lee, Julie and Starband hit the ballroom circuit with a vengeance. Des wanted to make sure the band had no single "star" with everyone making a major contribution to their live act every night on stage. Because of their connection to the Miami, they garnered a lot of press at the time, and did very well across the country.

After only a year on the road the original Julie, Dee McMahon, became pregnant and left the band. Liz Allen joined the band as the lead female vocalist and stayed with them for two years before Dee returned. By the end of 1981, Stephen and Aonghus left and formed the band Crackers, with Pat Waller on drums. But that band was short lived though as Pat soon left and they changed the name to The Crack. When the band split up, Des Lee reformed the band with Liz Allen back in the lineup and they headed to South Africa where Des has lived ever since. After several years of success Liz went on to join a band called Shiraz, but then emigrated to Australia where she still lives today.

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image


The Miami-1975 (DL)	Des Lee, Julie and Starband-1979	Des Lee, Julie & Starband (BK)	Starband - 1980	Starband (PH)

A - Des Lee & Starband	Des Lee & Starband	Coming Soon	Coming Soon	Coming Soon

Lineup Changes

Years	Vocals	Guitar	Bass	Drums	Keyboards	Vocals / Sax
1978	Dee McMahon	Aonghus McNally	Steven Travers	Ray Millar	Adrian Mullen	Des McAlea
1979	Liz Allen	Aonghus McNally	Steven Travers	Ray Millar	Adrian Mullen	Des McAlea
1981	Dee McMahon	Aonghus McNally	Steven Travers	Ray Millar	Adrian Mullen	Des McAlea
1981	Dee McMahon		Shaun Magee	Ray Millar	Adrian Mullen	Des McAlea

Discography (may not be complete)

Singles:

Hold Onto Love
Release Records - 1979
Kiss Me, Kiss Your Baby
Release - 1979 and on WEA in 1980
If You Wanna Make Love
Spider Records - WEB 01 - 1979
Mamacita
Spider Records - Web 10

Where Are They Now?

	Des Lee (McAlea): Des survived the attack on the Miami showband and in late 1975 he reformed the band along with Ray Millar and Stephen Travers. In 1982, Des put together a new version of Starband which may have been also know as the Des Lee Band. The band emigrated to South Africa where he still lives and performs today. The photo right is from the 2005 Miami 30 Year reunion Concert held in Dublin.
	Aonghus McNally: Angus left the band scene after a short stint with the band Crackers. He left after a short stint to take on a career in television with RTE with the show, "Anything Goes." He has been with RTE ever since but also now has a solo recording career as well.
	Steven Travers: Although wounded in the Miami massacre, Stephen survived and together with Des Lee and Ray Millar, reformed the Miami in late 1975. In 1978, he went with Des and Ray again, but this time to form Starband with Adrian Mullin of Chips and Aoughus McNally. His time with the new band was short lived though as in 1980, he left to form Crackers which soon became The Crack, a four piece rock/pop outfit. In 1996, Steven met up (again) with Johnny Fean of Horslips in London and they have been playing together ever since. We understand Steven spends a lot of time in Florida and London these days, as well as touring with Johnny in Ireland.
	Adrian Mullen: Keyboard player Adrian left Chips in 1978 to join the newly formed Starband with Des Lee. He still plays in and around Dublin with a two man show and performs in the Middle East from time to time.
	Ray Millar: After leaving Starband, we are not sure what Ray did. However, we have read online that he now runs a major recycling company in Northern Ireland. If you know anything about Ray and his whereabouts these days, please let us know.
	Dee McMahon:
	Liz Allen: Liz left the band when Dee McMahon returned after a two year hiatus. However, she eventually rejoined Des Lee in a new version of the band which emigrated to South Africa around 1982. After several years with Des, she joined the South Africdan band, Shiraz. She eventually emigrated to Sydney Australia whewre she lives today.
	Shaun Magee: After leaving Chips, Shaun went on to play with Gibney and Donovan, Sheeba, The Joe Cuddy Band and finally Starband and Vienna (with Dee Mahon, formerly Julie of Starband) before emigrating to Canada in 1985. Today, Shaun lives and works in Toronto where he manages a construction company. He is also a good friend to the website and contributes regularly to our content.

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