Musicians Directory: In Memory

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It is a sad fact that we are all getting older far too quickly. Since the Showband Era started 55 years ago, many of the musicians who made up it's ranks are advancing in age. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many stars on whom the curtain has come down all too soon. Where possible we try to give details of the musician's passing and their career in bands.  

If you would like pay tribute to someone by adding them to this list, click here to let us know. If the last name is highlighted, click on it for more info! We are trying to get photos of all musicians here. Please let us know if you have one, we especially would like photos from the showband era.

Photo	Last, First	Home Town	Instrument(s)	Bands
	Ainscough, Peter*	Clondalkin, Co. Dublin	Drums	Express Showband, Louis Stewart Trio (passed away October 23, 2004)
	Aylward, Jim	Carrick On Suir, Co. Tipperary		Cowboys Showband (Jim sadly passed away March 6, 1991)
	Barrett, Noel	Ballina, Co. Mayo	Guitar	Abilene Showband, Fairways (Noel sadly passed away)
	Barton, Johnny	Drogheda, Co. Louth	Drums	Dermot O'Brien's Clubmen, Tigermen (Johnny sadly passed away Apr 5, 2007 - Liam Reilly) Johnny started his career with the Flying Carlton in Drogheda , joining Dermot O'Brien's Clubmen in 1963. The band and Dermot parted company for a few years with Johnny , Eamonn Campbell , Timmy Regan and Willie Healy forming the Tigermen. They rejoined Dermot a couple of years later and Johnny and the late Derek McCormack remained with Dermot as the Dermot O'Brien Trio until Dermot moved to the USA - Liam Reilly
	Bates, Syd			Syd Bates Orchestra (Syd sadly passed away in early March, 2008 - from his son, Jim. ) Syd emigrated to New Zealand in 1985, but returned to Ireland in 2007 at the age of 84
	Berkenheier, Ernie	Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin	Bass	Pat Lynch and the Airchords (Ernie sadly passed away in July, 2004)
	Birch, Bo*	Belfast, Co. Antrim	Vocals	Grenadiers Showband (Bo's daughter Jacqueline recently wrote us to let us know that Bo sadly passed away on November 5th, 1996)
	Bogle, Martin		Manager	Memories (sadly passed away in August 1995 - Ken Bogle)
	Bourke, Jeff	Urlingford, Co. Tipperary	Drums	Tweed, Kenny Ryder Band (Jeff sadly passed away in Nov., 2006)
	Brennan, Frankie	Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo	Guitar	Clefonaires Showband, Montrose (Frankie sadly passed away in Oct., 2003) He was a guitar player and singer with the Clefonaires Showband for some years and later joined the Montrose Showband that featured in the Showband Show on RTE
	Brown, Billy	Ballymena, Co. Antrim	Keyboards	Billy McFarland, Freshmen, Brown & O'Brien, Billy Brown Band (passed away in 1999) Billy was one of the true pioneers of pop music in Ireland, guiding the Freshmen in the late 60's when Irish pop was still very much a part of the showband scene in the ballrooms and dancehalls. Their album, Peace On Earth, still stands as one of the best Irish pop records ever made. Billy went on to become one of Ireland's top song writers and record producers before his untimely death.
	Browne, James	Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo		Pete Browne's Band of Renown, Sundowners (passed away in 2002)
	Browne, Pete	Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo		Pete Browne's Band of Renown, Sundowners (passed away on November 15, 2001)
	Bryan, Mike		Guitar	Classic Showband, Agents Showband, Fairways, Blue Boys (Mike sadly passed way April 25, 1970)
	Burns, Billy	Belfast, Co. Antrim	Guitar	Teddie Palmer Trend, Teddie Palmer & The Rumble Band, Confederates (emigrated to Canada with Muriel Day, but returned and sadly passed away a few years later).
	Byrne, Billy	Kilcock, Co. Kildare	Guitar	Imperial Imps Showband, Altonaires (Billy sadly passed away on 3rd August, 2009 at the age of 64 after a short illness - from his son, Conor).
	Cahill, Joe		Manager	Paragon Seven Showband (sadly passed away in 2000)
	Cahill, Micky	Waterford, Co. Waterford	Drums	Derek Joys Showband (passed away March 16, 2002)
	Cahill, Theo	Cork, Co. Cork	Sax/Clarinet	Dixielanders, Dixies Showband (passed away July 24, 1988) Theo, a founding member of the Dixies, who formed the band with Joe McCarthy and Sean Lucey in 1954 was with the band through its entire career. He tragically passed away after collapsing during a gig in Achill, Co. Mayo.
	Callaghan, Colm*		Drums	Marines Showband (Colm sadly passed away)
	Campbell, Eddie*		Guitar/Vocals	Federals, Stellas, Greenbeats, Real McCoy (passed away in the 70's in Canada)
	Campbell, Joe*	Belfast, Antrim	Trumpet/Drums	Presidents Showband, College Boys (Joe sadly passed away in 1990 - oiur thanks to his daughter Ciara  for the information)
	Campbell, Mick		Trumpet	Maurice Mulcahy Orchestra (Mick sadly passed away July 31, 1992 - John Campbell)
	Campbell, Pat*	Tydavnet, Co. Monaghan	Trombone	Pat Campbell Showband, Manager - Dawn Knight & the Casuals (Pat sadly passed away in late April, 2006)
	Canning, Aidan	Co. Mayo	Trombone	Savoy Swing Seven, Jack Ruane Showband (passed away June 26, 1992)
	Cantillan, Joe	Limerick Co. Limerick	Sax	Berwyn Showband (Brendan O'Loughlin wrote and told us Joe sadly passed away on June 4, 2007)
	Carroll, Doc	Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo	Vocals	Band of Renown, Royal Blues (Doc sadly passed away on May 1, 2005 at the age of 64) Born in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Doc came to prominence in Pete Brown's Band of Renown and later with the Royal Blues. Doc was still performing when he fell ill early in 2005. He died on Sunday, May 1 and was buried in Athlone, where he lived at the time of his death.
	Carson, Billy*		Bass	Swingtime Aces, Gerry & The Ohio (sadly passed away Sept, 2002)
	Carwood, Mick		Keyboards	The Others (Mick passed away in 2002)
	Casey, Johnny		Keyboards	Mick Fogarty Showband (Johnny sadly passed away - John Fennessy)
	Chambers, Tony	Newport, Co. Mayo	Sax/band leader	Tony Chambers Orchestra (Tony sadly passed away)
	Clancy, Bobby	Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary	Vocals	Clancy Brothers (Bobby sadly passed away September 6, 2002)
	Clancy, Liam	Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary	Guitar/Vocals	Clancy Brothers, Makem & Clancy, Solo (Liam sadly passed away Dec. 4, 2009)
	Clancy, Paddy	Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary	Vocals	Clancy Brothers (Paddy sadly passed away November 11, 1998)
	Clancy, Tom	Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary	Vocals	Clancy Brothers (Tom sadly passed away May, 1990)
	Clarke, Joe*		Drums	Witnesses Showband, Dave Glover Band (Joe emigrated to Canada where he sadly passed away in February, 2003 - Mike Arkins)
	Cleary, Jimmy	Inchicore, Co. Dublin	Vocals	Blue Clavons, Melochords (Jimmy's son Mark wrote us to say his Father sadly passed away on September 28th, 2007 at the age of 72)
	Cleary, Johnny	Rhonda Valley, Wales	Guitar	Jack Ruane Showband (Noel O'Neill wrote to tell us Johnny sadly passed away)
	Cleary, Pat	Edenderry, Co. Offaly	Keyboards	Agents Showband, Fairways, Blue Boys (Joan McGuire wrote to tell us that Pat sadly passed away on the 16th of October, 2009)
	Close, Dick		Bass	Cossacks Showband Founder (sadly passed away in 1998)
	Cole, Phil	Dublin, Co. Dublin	Sax	Crickets Showband (Thomas Harrington wrote to tell us that Phil sadly passed away a few years ago and we thank Thomas for the photo)
	Coll, Christy*	Mullingar, Co. Westmeath	Guitar	Classic Showband (Patrick Hoye wrote to tell us that Christy sadly passed away in early April, 2006)
	Colley, Harry*	Dublin, Co. Dublin	Guitar	Farmer's Sons (sadly passed away)
	Collins, Donie	Askeaton, Co. Limerick	Clarinet/Trmpt	Donie Collins Band (Donie sadly passed away in 1987)
	Condon, Tony*	Waterford	Trumpet	Blue Aces Showband (Tony sadly passed away)
	Connolly, St John	Clontarf, Co. Dublin	Guitar	Greenbeats, Aesop's Fables, Colm Wilkinson Band (St John sadly passed away in Jan, 2007 - Marie Moore)
	Conway, Billy*	Limerick, Co. Limerick	Sax/ Keyboards/ Clarinet	Ascot Showband (our thanks to Billy's son, Brendan) Billy Conway Band (Billy sadly passed away in April, 2002)
	Conway, Mickey	Magherafelt, Co. Derry	Sax	Green Angels Showband (Mickey sadly passed away November 17, 2006)
	Costello, Philomena	Tuam, Co. Galway	Vocals	Johnny Flynn Dance Band, (Phil sadly passed away, she was the wife of sax player Johnny Costello)
	Coughlan, Frank*	Limerick, Co. Limerick	Guitar	Berwyn Showband, Heuston Wells & Trident, Gerry & The Ohio (Frank sadly passed away)
	Coughlan, Pat*	Cork, Co. Cork	Manager	Manager - Hilton Club in Cork, Top Hat Ballroom, Fermoy and Student Club, Cork (Pat sadly passed away in October, 2002 - from his daughter, Tracy Holland - our thanks to his daughter Anita for the photo)
	Coyle, David*		Vocals	Melody Aces Showband (passed away November 17, 1983)
	Cranny, Tom		Manager	Mexicans Showband (an article in Spotlight on February 8th, 1969 reported that Tom was killed in a car crash in late January, 1969
	Creagh, Seamus		Trombone	Crescent Showband, Coasters Showband, Barristers Showband, Bankers Showband (passed away suddenly July 11, 2003 - John Baird)
	Crean, Johnny	Ballina, Co. Mayo	Drums	Jack Ruane Showband, New Fairways (Noel O'Neill wrote to tell us that John was killed in a traffic accident near Killala, Co. Mayo on 25th July, 1979.)
	Creaney, Paul	Belfast, Co. Antrim	Guitar	Teddie Palmer and the Rumble Band (Paul sadly passed away in November, 2006)
	Creighton, Andy	Claremorris, Co. Mayo	Manager	Royal Blues Showband, D.J. Curtin & The Kerry Blues Flint, Memories, Plattermen, Samba & The Philosophers, Skid Row, Tom Kelly Sound (passed away December 4, 2003 in London)
	Cribben, Shay	Kilkelly, Co. Mayo	Vocals	Riviera Showband (Shay sadly passed away Sept. 30, 2005 after a long battle with cancer)
	Cronin, Gerry	Tuam, Co. Galway	Vocals	Johnny Flynn Band, Gerry and the Ohio, Cronin Family (passed away April 3, 1988)
	Crooks, Herbie*	Larne, Co. Antrim		Cameron Clan (died in a traffic accident)
	Cuffe, Mick	Belcarra, Co. Mayo	Bass / Vocals	Brose Walsh Band (passed away in September, 2002) Our thanks to Brian Harrington for the photo of Mick
	Curran, Tomas	Killea, Co. Donegal	Vocals	Blue Glows Showband, Jackie & The Top Stars (Tomas sadly passed away suddenly on 29th June, 2009 - from John McGrenra )
	Curtin, Glen	Cork, Co. Cork	Vocals	Glen Curtin Band, New Blues, Nevada, Galaxy Band (Glen sadly passed away September 20th, 2009 aged 66) Glen started his Irish career in March 1972 with The Glen Curtin Band and later joined the New Blues. After the New Blues, Glen was with the Nevada. He then formed his own Galaxy Band in the late seventies. He had many hit records during his showband career. His album "The Very Best of Glen Curtin" was recently released on Crashed Records.
	Dalton, Jim*	Dublin	Guitar	Barons Showband, Hoot'nannys, Fleet Showband, Johnny Flynn Showband (Jim sadly passed away)
	Devey, William		Drums	Cadets (Willie sadly passed away in May, 2004)
	Delahunty, Mick	Clonmel, Co. Tipperary	Sax	Mick Delahunty Big Band (passed away February 29, 1992)
	Devaney, Mickey		Sax	Quicksilver, Johnny Flynn Showband (sadly passed away - John Baird)
	Devaney, Tommy	Castlebar, Co. Mayo	Sax/Clarinet	Brose Walsh & The Rockaways, Seapoint Orchestra, Jack Ruane Orchestra, Pete Brown Band, West Coast Jazzband, The Pat Friel Group, and the Devonaires (Our thanks to Noel O'Neill) (passed away in 2000)
	Dixon, Dave	Clones, Co. Monaghan	Sax/Clarinet	Dave Dixon Orchestra, Dixonaires Showband  (Dave sadly passed away on stage March 5, 1985-aged 59) Dave was there at the beginning of the showband era in 1950 with his Dave Dixon Orchestra. Around 1962, he dropped the Orchestra concept, added guitars and became the Dixonaires Showband and was the first band for Eurovision star, Pat McGeegan. Dave and his band played until 1985, when he passed away on stage while playing a charity gig for the local hospital.
	Dolan, Joe	Mullingar, Co. Westmeath	Vocals/Guitar	The Drifters (Joe sadly passed away December 26, 2007) Not much can be said about the showband era without the mention~ of Joe Dolan and the Drifters, one of the most successful bands of the era and one of the most enduring performers the country has ever known. For a full appreciation of Joe and his career, Please click here.
	Dolan, Joe	Galway, Co. Galway	Guitar	Sweeney's Men, Capitol Showband, Swingtime Aces (Joe sadly passed away of cancer in late 2007 - Pat Loughman) The "other" Joe Dolan was an art student in Dublin and the original guitar player with The Capitol Showband. He left when Jimmy Hogan and Butch Moore joined from the Blue Clavons. He had previously played with the folk group, Sweeney's Men, who were managed by Des Kelly. After leaving the scene he became a professional artist in Co. Galway until his death.
	Doohan, Tom*	Charlestown, Co. Mayo	Sax/Clarinet	Dixietones (Tom sadly passed away in 1972)
	Doris, Malachy	Cookstown, Co. Tyrone	Accordion/ Vocals	Vincent Lowe Trio, Granada Showband, Malachy Doris Ceili Band, Rovers Showband (Malachy sadly passed away October 1st, 1999) Malachy, like contemporary Dermot O'Brien, came from the Ceili tradition in Ireland, starting out with the Vincent Lowe Trio before forming his own band. As Ceili died away in the dancehalls, Malachy turned his talents to the showband scene, first with the Granada Showband and then his own Rovers Showband.
	Doyle, Dan	Rialto, Co. Dublin	Sax	Brose Walsh & The Rockaways (passed away December 25, 1983)
	Doyle, Tony	Sligo, Co. Sligo	Vocals	Clefonaires Showband (sadly passed away)
	Drew, Ronnie	Dublin, Co. Dublin	Vocals/Gtr	Dubliners, Solo career  (Ronnie sadly passed away on 16th August, 2008) A founder members of Ireland's greatest folk export, The Dubliners, Ronnie was a legend on the Irish and international entertainment scene. Along with Luke Kelly, he forged a new era in Irish folk music and was recognized as one of Ireland's greatest story tellers. He will be missed.
	Duffy, Frances*	Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan	Vocals	Newline Showband, John Murphy Band  (sadly passed away)
	Duggan, Gerry	Sligo, Co. Sligo	Guitar	Duggan Brothers, Brotherly Love (Gerry sadly passed away September 13, 2008). One of Sligo's very talented Duggans, Gerry and his brothers made an impression on the local scene while still in school. In the early seventies, they were signed by EMI records and released several singles. The band retired to civilian life in the early 80's and Gerry became a very successful architectural engineer, working on many prominent buildings in Ireland.
	Dunphy, Tom	Waterford, Co. Waterford	Bass	Royal Showband, Brendan Bowyer & The Big 8 (killed in a car crash on July 29, 1975) A founding member of The Royal Showband, Tom had the distinction of singing on the very first showband record, Come Down The Mountain Katy Daly. After almost 15 years of success with the Royal, Tom, along with Brendan Bowyer, formed the Big Eight and started performing in Las Vegas as the showband era started to slide. On a trip home in 1975, Tom was killed on his way to a gig near Drumsna, Co. Leitrim.
	Dwyer, Johnny	Riverstown, Co. Sligo	Drums	Cathal Dunne and Stateside (Cathal told us that Johnny sadly passed away at a very young age)

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Acknowledgements:
*Our thanks to Jimmy Compton, Brian O'Brien, Brian "Shorty" O'Kane, Danny McLaughlin, Martin Flynn, Andy Monk, Joe Dodd, Peter Kinsey, Teddie Palmer, Patrick Hoye, Karl Compton, Louis Chapman, Michael Niblett, Declan Colgan, Mick Gilligan, Michael Conway, Paul Welch, John McGrenra, Alan Carr, Norman Bissett, Alan White, Tom Ivory Jr., Glen Brown, Dave Hynes, Ernie Corrigan, Paddy Brennan's "Golden Era of Irish Showbands," & Eugene Nixon's "He's Not Working...He's in a Band" for their assistance with many of the names on this list.