During the 1960's the Beat groups and the Showbands were in competition for the musical hearts of the nation. Over the years we have had several books on the Showbands but until this month (November) there was no book available on the Irish Beat Group era. Daragh O'Halloran is the author of a new book "Green Beat" The Forgotten era of Irish Rock, that covers the 1960's. Well documented and well illustrated it should be of interest to showband fans because a large number of beat group members eg Fran O'Toole, Liam McKenna, Alan Dee etc started out in beat groups before teaming up with some of the biggest names in the showband world. Check it out.