Tweed Photo Gallery
Ask anyone who was around in the '70's and
early 80's who the top pop bands in Ireland were, and usually Tweed
would be in the top five. Formed by Brendan and Kenny Ryder and based
in Thurles, Co. Kilkenny, the band were the ultimate performers,
reproducing the hits of the day with amazing quality and detail.
During a period when "pop" bands in Ireland were increasingly
dropping their brass sections, in favor of synths and additional
multi-instrumentalists, Tweed maintained a driving brass section,
giving them an unmatched presence on stage. Of special interest to
fans were the powerful vocals of guitarist/percussionist, Brendan
Ryder.
The band was formed in 1971 from several
members of the Nomads and the original lineup included Brendan Ryder
(vocals), Kenny Ryder (guitar), Michael O'Grady (keyboards), Arthur
Connick (trumpet), Bertie Sherman (sax), Jeff Bourke (drums), and
Tony Ford (bass). The band was advertised as playing a wide variety
of musical styles including a heavy sprinkling of country and
western (which would soon disappear).
Kenny left
the band in the early seventies and formed his own Kenny Ryder Superband.
Seanie Ryan tells us that today Kenny still lives in Thurles and
plays across the country with his band, Knight Ryders.
Click on thumbnails for full images
