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09 - New Spotlight - Vol. 7 No. 9 August 23rd 1973
Apr 13, 2008

My apologies to those of you who were disappointed that I hadn't managed to upload the Spotlight info over the last couple of weeks. Some other stuff needed my attention (travelling over to Switzerland to play being some of it) but here I am again and here's another "Heavy Sounds" column to remind you of what was going on in Ireland musically in August 1973. There is a photo of Mushroom playing in the TV Club and it's priceless to see the expression of some of the faces in the audience. I had forgotten all about it but back then  (especially in the ballrooms) some of the audience had the habit of sitting on the front of the stage (with their backs to the band) and sometimes if the band got really, really wild they'd decide to honour the band with a look! Oh, oh - those were the days!

Gibney Will Join Skid Row After All

Eamonn Gibney will, it is now confirmed, be the singer with the new-look Skid Row. I reported this exclusively some time ago but it was later denied by the people concerned. Another surprise is the report that John Wilson, a former drummer with Rory Gallagher's Taste and later with Stud, will be in the new Skid line-up. Gibney and the other Irish member of the band, Ed Deane, left Dublin on Monday to start rehearsals. New Skid will play its first date in Killarney on Sunday week (Barry: I had the pleasure of seeing this line-up in Virginia in what was then the Lake Hotel and to this day I remember it as a fantastic gig. For me (as a Rory fan) to see John Wilson in the flesh and shake his hand was a real thrill. It was my first time to see Ed Deane play (he played a 'see-through' guitar that night) and I thought he was brilliant. I met him many times later over on the European as we played on several festivals together)

Paul Charles, manager of Fruupp and the man behind Hawkwind's recent Irish tour has plans to present more British groups in Dublin. "I'm pretty sure Argent will be at the Stadium in October and I have some other acts lined up as well. If Argent do well I will my best to keep prices well under £1"

Into re-formed Emmett Spiceland comes former showband man Paul Ashford. Because of the current interest in groups their chances of making the breakthrough must be good. One wonders, however, how a musican playing bubblegum one week can turn full circle and come out playing traditional or folk...that's showbusiness!

What a slating Van Morrison is getting in mud-throwing articles and snide remarks from pop columnists. Fans don't seem to be taking much notice of what the papers are saying though. His new album is selling a bomb and I, for one, still want to be counted among his real fans even if he never sets foot in the place again.

After much chasing I caught up with the Dave Primm band at Gonzo's. After hearing so much about them I was probably expecting too much and while they are a very tight little band they still are no sensation. Don't get me wrong, they are better than most of the Dublin bands and it was really my own fault that I didn't like them. I had built them into some kind of superband which they are not as yet. I look forward, however, to their next gig at Gonzo's.

Zebedee were at Sgt. Peppers on the Friday of August weekend but only a small crowd watched this good little band. They were not at their best on this gig but, as I have said many times, Sgt. Peppers does not bring out the best in rock acts.

Hoping for some action I made the trip to Kilkenny during August weekend for the four-day pub rock festival. There was plenty of beer but somebody forgot to turn on the music. It turned out to be a terrible disappointment and as the rain poured down on the Sunday evening I felt sorry for the fans who'd made the trip.

The Horslips peace gig at the Park was, by all accounts a big success. I was disappointed to have missed it seeing that there was so much talent on show. It's not every big band who will do a free gig and a lot of credit is due to Horslips for thinking of the fans and James Duggan who spends many hours getting it all together.

Mushrooming

At the Television Club on Saturday Mushroom played one of their rare Dublin gigs. There was a bit queue at midnight which was nice to see but some problem rose over whether I was really Pat Egan. After much waiting I split home and had to make do with spinning my copy of Devil Among The Tailors, now doing so well for the group.

Comment

Still no sign of a tape version of Horslips' first album...Are Peggy's Leg worried by being called a one man band?...Expect another new band from what remains of the new Shay Murphy/Brian Harris/Gerry O'Donovan/Dave Murphy get-together...back in Dublin this week Paul Keogh, the Irish-born top session guitarist now based in London...enough to make you laugh: clubs like the Zhivago and Revolution claiming to feature nothing but top groups...Planxty's Polydor album due out soon on eight-track cartridge.

Pat Egan

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 23rd August 1973

01 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee  

02 - I'm Leader Of The Gang - Gary Glitter   

03 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine

04 - All Right, All Right, All Right - Mungo Jerry    

05 - Live On Mars - David Bowie 

06 - Devil Among The Tailors - Mushroom  

07 - Going Home - The Osmonds 

08 - Rag and Bone Man - Des Smith  

09 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir  

10 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels  

11 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley   

12 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle    

13 - Shores Of Logh Bran - The Rocky Tops 

14 - 48 Crash - Suzi Quatro  

15 - Bad Bad Boy - Nazareth    

16 - Randy - Blue Mink  

17 - Gay - Clifford T. Ward  

18 - Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose - Dawn Bell   

19 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

20 - The Teddy Bear Song - Mary Lou & Harvest 

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08 - New Spotlight - Vol. 7 No. 8 August 16th 1973
Mar 21, 2008

Pat's column doesn't have too much new news this week. Probably nothing major happening around town or in the business at that moment. August is traditionally a quiet enough month in the music business, unless you're playing live (festivals).

Interesting that the front cover asks: Where are the Stones Rolling now?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones_European_Tour_1973

I can tell you one thing. There was NO WAY in 1973 I ever thought I'd end up playing together with Mick Taylor. 

 Morrison Climbs British Charts

Van Morrison is in the U.K. charts and climbing fast. This week he entered the Record Mirror chart top twenty and came in the Musical Express chart at No. 25.One of the reasons for the quick entry is that there were no import sales in England on this album as it was released the same day as the US. Previously the major bulk of Morrison's sales in Britain had been on imports. The Irishman was one of the top three import sellers in Europe last year.

Gonzo's new rock Warehouse will open next Friday at Zero's and if it draws even half the crowd I think it will Gonzo should be well pleased. A number of specials are being lined up to give the night a better look. Gonzo fans who have been to the Palace at Morans on Tuesdays will know what to expect. It's the kind of scene we have been looking for and deserves the support of everyone involved with the scene.

Nice to see Horslips coming in for so much good press across the water, they are certainly spreading a very cool image for Irish teenagers and deserve all the support home fans can give them now when they really need it. The new album is being nicely timed for the Christmas market. While I haven't always seen eye to eye with the group's manager Michael Deeny I think the way he is handling the band not only at home but in Britain is nothing short of perfect. I won't be in the least bit surprised if they break through across the water.

A fair sized crowd turned up for the Fruupp concert at Liberty Hall. Overall it was a pretty fair evening's entertainment for just 50p. Ron Kavanagh from Loudest Whisper did a solo spot and went down well. He was followed by guest star Stac who's witty manner and good overall projection showed him to have a fair chance of breaking big. In recent months I have seen a whole lot of Irish singer-songwriters Niall Coll, Martin Warren, Stac, Big Bad Dave, Ron Kavanagh and for any one of them to break through it's going to take an awful lot of slogging.

I only stayed for three numbers by Fruupp (I was in a hurry to see Rodeo at Gonzo's before the house full sign went up). The opening of the Fruupp gig was impressive with each of the band displaying a lot of individual talent and the general sound was very good indeed. I always find with Fruupp that the vocals are lost somewhere among the sound, and it's a great pity because otherwise I was enjoying their stuff very much. With the Future Legends album on the way and gigs like the Liberty Hall one to back it up Fruupp might turn out to be the success of the year.

The wee bit I heard from Rodeo at Gonzo's was nice, a kind of Ireland's answer to Commander Cody and I discovered something else as well. The best way for a group to hit it off here (unless in the traditional bag) would be to have a listen to Rodeo, and get cracking around the country with a similar type of thing.

After our top singer rating we are left with only drummers and miscellaneous placings to follow...rather than drag it out too long I have decided to feature both this week.

Miscellaneous Instruments

1 - Charles O'Connor [Horslips], 2 - Ruan O'Loughlain [Bees Make Honey], 3 - Terry Woods, 4 - Pat Collins [Mushroom], 5 - Jim Lockhart [Horslips], 6 - Don Know [Spud], 7 - Joe O'Donnell [East Of Eden], 8 - Sonny Condell [Tir Na Nog]

Rock Drummers

1 - John Wilson [Taste], 2 - Noel Bridgeman(ex-Skid Row], 3 - Brian Downey [Thin Lizzy], 4 - Dave Lutton [Ellis], 5 - John Donnolly [ex-Gary Moore Band], 6 - Fran Byrne, 7 - Pearse Kelly [Gary Moore Band]

Two new bands brought to my notice during the last week which I think you will enjoy meeting. Pyramid are from out of town somewhere, I can't remember what part of the country, but I know they do a kind of Santana thing with a lot of originals as well. Only on the road about six months Pyramid feature Tom Lyons lead guitar and the group's songwriter John Dunne, Sean Ryan,Tom Kinane and Rob Fogerty. "We are already working towards the top and we feel we have a lot to offer," says leader Tom Lyons.

Crock are a new Dublin five-piece made up from ex members of Blackbird and Railroad. The group do a varied rock programme with numbers from bands like Purple and Fairport. All the boys have experience of playing the major halls and are hoping it's going to show in a big way.

Making a big impression at the moment are the Trench Band who were formed in September 1972. They underwent only one change since then with Paul Cran coming in on drums about six weeks ago. The other members are Mark Costigan on lead guitar, Colman Bowers on rhythm guitar and Garvan Gallagher on bass. Only bass player Garvan has played with anyone of note although all the boys have previous experience. Garvan was with the Sensory System who are currently breaking big on the continent. As they are one of the most promising young bands I have heard in a long time I'm hoping the Trench Band will stick together until better things come their way.

Comment...Brush Shiels home again this wekk from London for good...Fachna O'Kelly didn't dig Fruupp too much at Liberty Hall...former group man Robbie Walsh now doing solo pub gigs...Gonzo says Rodeo have changed their name to Trouble...let's hear more of the Dave Prim band in Dublin...Angel are top band at Zero's this Saturday...very good idea indeed the Horslips/Chips free gig at the park last Sunday...at least it shows they care about the fans...when they have been on the road a couple of months Skid Row will drop the Row part of their name and be known simply as Skid.

Pat Egan

The charts were not available due to the bank holiday. 

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07 - New Spotlight - Vol. 7 No. 7 August 9th 1973
Mar 13, 2008

Nice to see some people leaving comments about these Spotlight articles (and mailing me as well). Please keep the comments coming as it will help to build a better picture of the Irish rock scene/music scene at that time. I don't read the columns before I type them over so it's fun for me too to read them as I type.

Typical of the situation at that time is that we would all have had to wait for Spotlight and Pat's column to find out if Van Morrison was going to play a concert or not. That was big news at the time because I think Van had a love/hate relationship with Ireland at that point of his career and had vowed never to play Ireland again. Another thing I really like about re-reading the column is seeing info (for example: about Van's next record being a live one) and we now know that to be the excellent "Too Late To Stop Now" album), so it's a bit like watching history unfolding before your eyes.

But We Still Have Van On Record

So near and yet so far...that just about sums up the Van Morrison episode of last week. Early on the news was that he would play two concerts in the Carlton on Tuesday. The announcement brought an excitement that was nothing short of phenomenal. The sad let-down on Thursday was that he would not be coming. There was some misunderstanding about bookings and it turned out the Irishman would not be able to do a concert in New York on Monday and be here by Tuesday evening.We have, however, the consolation of his latest album, "Hard Nose The Highway" (reviewed elsewhere in this issue by Fachna O'Kelly) which looks all set to storm the charts. Maybe Van will be here later in the year...maybe.

The new Time Machine single, forecast by manager Louis Walsh to crash the top ten, features a traditional number by Terry Woods called "As I Roved Out". It will be released during the next couple of weeks on the Play label. Time Machine hope to break into the ratings and make it four-in-a-row for the group hitmakers...Horslips, Thin Lizzy and Mushroom have all had hits recently.

It's now understood that Noel Bridgeman will not be joining the new Skid Row line-up. Now playing with the Plattermen, he was earlier named as the drummer for the new band led by Brush Shiels but I have since been informed that this is not so.

With Whiskey In The Jar still high in the German top ten Thin Lizzy have set September as the release date for their new album. Decca and the group's management will spend a lot of money on promotion in the hope of another big hit.

One or two bass players were a little upset over last week's top ten ratings and many were surprised to learn that our No. 1 bass man Rick Laird of the Mahavishnu Orchestra is Irish-born (I was too - Barry). Now here's my list of top Irish rock singers on the home and international scenes:

1 - Van Morrison, 2 - Eamonn Gibney, 3 - Rory Gallagher, 4 - Jonathan Kelly, 5 - Philip Lynott, 6 - Bernard White, 7 - Pat Ward, 8 - Ditch Cassidy, 9 - Gerry O'Donovan.

(No No. 10 Pat - did we not have ten good singers at the time??? - Barry)

Fantasy Factory is a new rock gig every Sunday at Zero's. Twelve or so hours of non-stop music, both live and on record, run from early afternnon to almost midnight. The first week featured Sheriff, Trench Band and a heads jam with people such as Brush Shiels, Dave Murphy and Philip Donnelly. It's a very good scene and at only 50p it works out at less than 5p an hour.

The Gary Moore album is now on sale and doing very well. It appears the London agency which looks after Moore is annoyed over my comment that his failure to tour here will cost him sales. They should know that only for this page few people would even be aware that Gary has a band on the road.

Reform were at Sgt. Pepper's on Friday and manager Ollie Byrne admitted that they had the place jumping for the first time in weeks. Their record is due out this Friday and with any luck they should be in the charts in a couple of weeks. Another Limerick band in the news is Workfarm, which played Dublin gigs last weekend. Manager Christy Linehan told me: "I think bands from the country are give a raw deal by Dublin promoters. Workfarm are easily one of the best young groups but we have a terrible time trying to get into the city".

I liked what I heard from Chips at Gonzo's last week. It was a big improvement on what they offered at the Stadium a couple of months back. It was hard to take them seriously after some of the stuff they churned out over the last few years but this was a good set and I look forward to more of it. Niro Jade, the young Dublin rock band, supported and they too have improved 100% since I heard them at Zero's some time ago. If they keep at it we will be hearing a lot more about them.

Guitarists interested in getting a Stateside magazine not available in Europe and published exclusively by guitarists for guitarists should contact Joe O'Malley of 3 Upper Gladstone Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Called "Guitar Player" and costing 40p it's a magazine no guitarist should be without, according to Joe. A chap named Howard at 694738 has asked me to mention he has some equipment for sale including a 200W Binson amp.

Comment

Brush Shiels not over-impressed with the Gary Moore album...Wayne Bickerton, one of the top men at Polydor (London) on his way shortly to hear Sheriff, Peggy's Leg and a few other bands...watch out for a new-look Ed Dean...Time Machine could well have a group No. 1 with their new single...Thin Lizzy very worried about their future...expect Horslips back at the Stadium for concerts before Christmas...New Musical Express last week ran three articles on Irish rock acts...things not going too well for the new Purple Pussycat line-up...Dave Prim Band impressed a lot of people at the open-air gig last Sunday...how long before we get a Mushroom album...Rodeo back in town and well worth hearing...next Van Morrison album a live set recorded in the States and Europe...Rory Gallagher top of the bill at the Reading Festival.

Pat Egan

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 9th August 1973

01 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee  

02 - I'm Leader Of The Gang - Gary Glitter   

03 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine

04 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels   

05 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley  

06 - Live On Mars - David Bowie  

07 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

08 - Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me - Slade 

09 - Devil Among The Tailors - Mushroom 

10 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle 

11 - Alright, Alright, Alright - Mungo Jerry  

12 - Going Home - The Osmonds   

13 - Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Paul Simon

14 - Saturday Night Is Alright For Fighting - Elton John  

15 - Teddy Bear Song - Mary Lou & Harvest   

16 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir 

17 - Dingle Bay Boat Song - American Pie  

18 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC   

19 - Rag and Bone Man - Des Smith

20 - Randy - Blue Mink 

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06 - New Spotlight - Vol. 7 No. 6 August 2nd 1973
Mar 6, 2008

Front cover photo this week is of a guy called Big Tom. Some things in life are just difficult to understand and why this man and his band were so popular I could never quite understand. I have a funny story to tell you this week and it regards this man.

I suppose it was probably around the late '70's and we were in London on a bus trip. While driving into the city I seen posters for the Boomtown Rats at the Hammersmith Odeon. The Rats were huge at this time (Rat Trap & I Don't Like Mondays had just been hits). I knew that a former Horslips roadie was working with the Rats, so as soon as we got to our hotel I called the venue and eventually got Paul on the phone. He was real surprised that we were in London and asked us if we wanted to come to the show. I said sure and he arranged six backstage tickets for me. Wow!!

We all went off our separate ways for the day and had to meet around 6pm for dinner or something. When I met up with everyone I told them all excited that I'd scored six backstage tickets to see the Rats at the Hammersmith. I expected everyone to want a ticket but instead was met with the following scenario- they had been out walking and passed some Irish ballroom in London and had seen that Big Tom was playing and had decided to go see him. Now, bear in mind they could see this guy any day of the week back home and yet here we were in London, with backstage tickets to the Rats, and they wanted to go see him. I couldn't believe it. Eventually I got three other guys to go with me - and of course it was a great show by the Rats. So there, the magic pulling power of Big Tom!!

Here's Pat Egan's Heavy Sounds for this week.

Brush in Town for Skid Row Relaunch Plans

Brush Shiels, leader of the new Skid Row, flew into Dublin on Friday night to meet the members of the re-formed band and talk over plans to launch the group on the home scene. "I don't really care about England anymore. It's America we will be aiming at with the new group. I have learned a lot over the last couple of years and I think I know where the action is now" he said. With Brush when I met him was Eamonn Gibney and manager Ollie Byrne. Gibney has been the target of the new Skid for some weeks and it's thought that Brush was home especially to see Gibney in a last effort to get him into the new line-up.

Thanks to David Duke at CBS I have been playing an advance copy of "Hard Nose The Highway" the new Van Morrison album for the last week or so. It's completely unlike anything Van's ever done and for me it takes over from Moondance as the most satisfying album he's ever produced.

Side one has five superb tracks as good as anything else he's ever done with "Warm Love" the stand out track and one of he most commercial he's ever laid down. I also love "The Great Deception" and the title track. Side two has three long tracks much more in the Morrison "Astral Weeks" mould and not nealy as catchy as anything on side one. Should easily be his biggest European seller ever.

After being asked so many times I must admit to being really delighted that Van is including Ireland on his European trip. There are a lot of people here who stood by him during the lean years after "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Blowin' Your Mind" who will love the chance to see him.

Nice reaction to last week's guitarist ratings. Overall it seems I wasn't too far out with my placings. Who are Ireland's top rock bass players on the international and home scene? This is how I see it..

1- Rick Laird (Mahavishnu Orchestra), 2 - Brush Shiels (Skid Row), 3 - Richard McCracken (Spencer David Group), 4 - Chris Stewart (Spooky Tooth), 5 - Gery McEvoy (Rory Gallagher Band), 6 - Philip Lynott (Thin Lizzy), 7 - Frank Boylan (ex-Gary Moore Band), 8 - Gery O'Donovan (new Eamonn Gibney Band), 9 - Noel Cullen (ex-Urge), 10 - Barry Devlin(Horslips)

This one was a lot more difficult to work out as there are a lot of players who should be rated...Next week: singers.

If Horslips are your favourite group and they are playing your local club or ballroom soon...don't miss them. It could well be the last chance of seeing them live for some time. "We have extensive overseas trips planned for late summer and after that we will be in the studio recording our "Tain" album" said Barry Devlin. The groups first US single "The High Reel" is set for release shortly to be followed by the "Happy To Meet" album, so a trip to the US looks on the cards.

Monaghan Art group are running a series of dances and are on the look out for rock bands to fill a number of sates. Groups interested in making the trip can call Joe Mallon at Monaghan 58.

The success of the Mushroom single proves that with strong showband management, groups can get a record into the chart. It's apparently impossible for a group to get airplay on RTE without the help of an established organisation. If this is not the case what happened to the Spud single and the Cromwell and Time Machine ones? The Spud single was more Irish than anything else around at the time but hardly got a look in at RTE. Last word: well done Mushroom and let's have a few more hits.

I heard Zebadee at Gonzo's the week before last and enjoyed their set much more than I did at Zero's the week before. They went down well and as I said before they have the makings of a great littel band.

Cromwell were at Sgt. Pepper's on Friday blowing the place apart with their Guinness rock. The problem with Cromwell is that they lack any creative talent which they need to lift them above all the other three-piece rock bands. They play their stuff well and won't run short of gigs - but rock leaders? NEVER.

McNasty, the winners of Seezers/Pepsi rock contest some months ago, were at a jam-packed (too much for comfort) Gonzo's last Tuesday. They got a mixed reception and I have the feeling we should be hearing a lot more from them in the future.

Tickets for the Fruupp concert at Liberty Hall next Wednesday are selling well and the group could well be in for their biggest home success to date. The group will be giving away a free Fruupp concert programme and featuring tracks from their soon to be released album " Future Legends".

Although it was due out last Friday, the Gary Moore album did not appear in Dublin shops. Many fans who have been waiting months for the release of the set were disappointed when it was not on sale. The album is expected to be in all shops this weekend along with the new Van Morrison album.

One of the few Northern groups to make any impact on the south during the last few months have been Richmond Hill. ThisBelfast five-piece have been making regular trips to Dublin and have already built up a sizable following. The group who have been very successful in the north are due in Dublin again shortly for dates at Sgt. Pepper's and Zero's. Watch them.

Pat Egan

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 2nd August 1973

01 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee  

02 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine 

03 - I'm Leader Of The Gang - Gary Glitter 

04 - Live On Mars - David Bowie  

05 - And I Love You So - Perry Como 

06 - Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me - Slade  

07 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels

08 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle

09 - Alright, Alright, Alright - Mungo Jerry

10 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley  

11 - Going Home - The Osmonds 

12 - Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Paul Simon  

13 - Saturday Night Is Alright For Fighting - Elton John  

14 - Devil Among The Tailors - Mushroom  

15 - Teddy Bear Song - Mary Lou & Harvest   

16 - Dingle Bay Boat Song - American Pie  

17 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC 

18 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir  

19 - Randy - Blue Mink 

20 - Born To Be With You - Dave Edmund  

 

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05 - New Spotlight - Vol. 7 No. 5 July 26th 1973
Feb 28, 2008

This week's cover photo is of The Plattermen. Even though they were in essence a showband they were also a rock group, and a fine one at that! Rob Strong was one of the frontmen and for those of you who've seen the film The Commitments that's Rob's son Andrew playing the lead singer of the band. To the extreme right of the photo is Gerry McIlduff (RIP), who is Francis' father (the guy who played the uilleann pipes with me for awhile).

Gibney To Front New Band

Eamonn Gibney is back from his holiday in the States and the new band being formed around the singer should be on the road in a couple of weeks. Drummer, Shay Murphy, who's idea it was to re-form the old Purple Pussycat told me: "We are thinking about a new name for the group because the Pussycat title is a bit dated".

Louis Walsh, manager of Time Machine, forecasts: "the boys' new single is going to be a top ten hit. It's the best thing any Irish group has ever recorded".

Horslips' manager, Michael Deeney, admits that sales have been lost by the group in not having "Happy To Meet...Sorry To Part" released on tape...Precision, the tape people, first promised to have it out months ago but keep putting it off and it's really very much out of our control. With the album now out on RCA in England we will pressure to bear on Precision to get it out in the next month or so...manager Deeney promised.

The weather once again knocked the rock on Sunday afternoon when the Spud free gig at Blackrock was washed out. I had been looking forward to this show as it was also to have been the first major outing in Dublin by the Dave Prim Band from Kilkenny. The band did a guest spot at Zero's the night before but I missed it, much to my disappointment.

Limerick born Joe O'Donnell currently playing violin, guitar and keyboards with highly rated East Of Eden is strongly featured on the group's new single "Sin City Girls", to be released soon in England. It's just the kind of track that could, with a little airplay, blow the charts wide open. Joe, aged 25, replaced David Arbus in Eden three months ago.

Good reports about a Tipperary group, Wild Life, who are hoping to break through to Dublin. The group which features the Richardson brothers, Larry and Dave, Frank Bonfield and Paddy McCarthy play some heavy rock, rock 'n' roll and blues. The group is managed by lead singer Larry who says: "We know we have a lot to offer. It's only a matter of breaking through to the bigger halls". Wild Life may be contacted at 5 Casement Terrace, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Who are the top Irish rock guitarists on the home and international scene? This is how I see them:

1 - Rory Gallagher, 2 - Henry McCullough (Wings), 3 - Gary Moore, 4 - Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy), 5 - Jimmy Slevin (Peggy's Leg), 6 - Ed Dean (new Skid Row), 7 - Dave Murphy (new Eamonn Gibney band), 8 - Johnny Fean (Horslips), 9 - Willie Brown (Reform), 10 - Tony Geraghty

If  I have overlooked your favourite let me know. Next week: bass guitarists.

Heard the Trench Band at Gonzo's on Tuesday and again at Zero's on Saturday. I enjoyed them at Gonzo's because I found their original live sound to be more exciting and the balance between the lads seemed to be a lot better at the smaller Gonzo hall. What with Peggy's Leg, Sheriff, Angel and now the Trench Band, Dublin is at last turning out some new sounds that are really well worth hearing...

Peggy's Leg sounded better than previously when they played Sgt. Pepper's on Friday. I can understand why Jimmy Slevin is being so highly rated among the heads on the scene. His guitar playing is most striking and if he continues at his present rate the sky's the limit. Easily the best Irish guitarist since Gary Moore.

The Fruupp concert will take place at Trinity Hall on Tuesday (31st). Tickets (50p) will go on sale this week at Sound Cellar. It will be the group's last Dublin concert before the release of their Future Legends album this summer. All the tracks from the LP will be featured in Liberty Hall. Supporting Fruupp will be singer/songwriter/guitarist Stac, who will be playing a 40-minute set of his bes work. He has been building up a good following in Dublin clubs over the last year or so. His gig at Gonzo's last week wasn't his best. He seems to come more into his own at Liberty Hall.

Comment

It now looks as if Ollie Byrne will have to look for another singer to front the new Skid Row...Dave Pennyfeather, looking after the groups at Tom Costello's office, is on the look out for musicians...Noel Bridgeman, former Skid Row drummer, is in London with Johnny Cregan, manager of Zero's, for Van Morrison's gig at the Rainbow...Don Harris of Peggy's Leg was not an original member of Urge as stated in the band's press release...expect next Mushroom single to be the first on a new rock and contempory label to be launched by manager Brian Molloy...Zero's Saturday night rock sessions getting big crowds...very impressive on RTE Friday evening teenage round-up show: Jim Lockhart of Horslips in his Irish speaking interview...but doesn't Eamonn Carr know the language?...what kind of progress is Cromwell making?...exile Irish guitarist Paul Keogh and wife Muriel home for a holiday soon. He is featured on the new Elton John album...in the Savoy, Cork this Friday night, Terry & Gay Woods with Supply Demand & Curve...Thin Lizzy, trying to avoid the one-hit wonder tag, will have to score with their new album...fantastice review for the new Van Morrison album Hard Nose The Highway in Melody Maker.

Pat Egan

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 26th July 1973

01 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee  

02 - Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me - Slade

03 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine 

04 - And I Love You So - Perry Como  

05 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC

06 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle 

07 - Live On Mars - David Bowie 

08 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels 

09 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley

10 - Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Paul Simon 

11 - Born To Be With You - Dave Edmunds

12 - Teddy Bear Song - Mary Lou & Harvest   

13 - Devil Among The Tailors - Mushroom  

14 - Albatross - Fleetwood Mac  

15 - Dingle Bay Boat Song - American Pie  

16 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir 

17 - Give Me Love - George Harrison

18 - Pillow Talk - Sylvia 

19 - King Of The Fairies - Family Pride

20 - Dear John - Two's Company   

 

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04 - New Spotlight - Vol. 7 No. 4 July 19th 1973
Feb 21, 2008

Pat's column this week has photos of: Spud, Dave Prim Band, Fruupp, Keltic Wine and a photo of the Gary Moore LP "Grinding Stone". I had the pleasure of seeing Spud a few times. I agree with Pat - they were very good. Their lead singer/fiddle player was a Mick Jagger lookalike. In fact they used to play a Stones cover as an encore. I can't quite remember if it was The LastTime or All Over Now. The first time I seen Thin Lizzy was because of Spud. It was a double-bill at the Stadium (strange combination if I think about it now). I probably favoured Spud over Lizzy because I was so into Horslips at that time!

Spud for Free Concert

Spud, the group who have taken the rock scene by storm over the last couple of weeks, headline a free concert at Blackrock Park next Sunday. The concert, which starts at 3 o'clock, is the first of a series of afternoon gigs which will be staged free at that venue during the coming months. A big attraction supporting Spud will be the much-talked-about Dave Prim Band from Kilkenny, who will be making their first Dublin appearance.

I don't like to take up space in this column writing about my own interests, but two points brought to my notice over the last few days merit a comment in this week's scene.

Denial No. 1

It has been reported in 'Nikki' (the schoolgirl's monthly) that I am now managing Reform. I would like to make it very clear that I do not manage any group or have any management interests in Reform or any other group. In the last five years I have had very many opportunities to manage some of the top groups of today, but always decided against it. If there is a promoter in the country who booked any groups through me I would dearly love to hear from him.

Denial No. 2

A poster advertising a Dublin concert for Zebadee which also carries my name as picking the group as my hope for 1973 was printed without my consent. With all due respect to Zebadee, who are a fine young band, I at no time picked them as my group hope for '73.

I was playing my demo copy of the new Gary Moore album, "Grinding Wheel" [actual title is Grinding Stone] at Sound Cellar over the weekend and if the reaction it got is anything to judge by, the Moore Band should pick up good sales in Ireland when it's released here at the end of next week. It's a pity the original line-up are not still together, as the album showed them to have great potential. The surprised look on people's faces had to be seen to be believed when they were told it was Gary Moore turning out some incredible stuff. I found one or two of the tracks dragged a wee bit, but otherwise this album is going to turn Moore into a guitar superstar and you can take my word for it.

An interesting point here is that Gary Moore's failure to keep in touch with home fans since he went overseas could cause him to miss out on a really big seller here in Ireland. The Moore Band should have toured here long before now.

Live gigs

I was at the Town Hall, Dun Laoghaire, last Friday and caught a couple of numbers by college and university heroes, Supply Demand and Curve. A sizable crowd seemed well pleased with what the group had to offer. They have a charm of their own but their appeal is very limited and I found four numbers really enough. I missed the Trench Band who were supporting and I understand they were well worth seeing.

The same night I caught Angel at Sgt. Pepper's playing to a good sized crowd but not making a very big impression. But then I have seldom seen any band making a big thing of it at Pepper's. The dancers never seem to be interested in the band and I reckon it must be a very frustrating gig for any group to play.

Ron Kavanagh was doing a solo bit at Gonzo's when I arrived last Tuesday. He has a powerful voice but found it hard to get through to the full house who seemed more interested in the pub end of the rock than the music end. The re-formed Dr. Strangely Strange did their bit but I don't think anybody really took them seriously. Johnathan Kelly, who had been playing drums with Strangely Strange, did his solo thing and went down well.

I heard two bands at Zero's on Saturday, Lotus and Zebadee, both young and with nothing fantastic to offer. Lotus seemsed to play to same riffs over and over but I am sure time will improve them. Zebadee, with new singer Pat Silke, had nothing exceptional to offer but are still a nice little band. The new singer will have to put a little more power into his voice to carry him over, but otherwise Zebadee only need to tighten up.

Big waves from Kilkenny about the Dave Prim Band who have been causing a lot of interest with fans and press people. Last weekend a number of record company people and pop writers made the trip from Dublin to hear Dave and his band and came home very impressed. The top Kilkenny group were not keen to come to Dublin as they think the trip would not really be worth their while until now for what the clubs are offering. The group features John Brennan, who once played drums with Carlow's The Word some years ago. The other members of the line-up are Alan Murphy, drums and Dave Prim, lead guitar and vocals.

Northern group, Fruupp, currently based in London, will be playing a concert at Dublin's Liberty hall next week. At going to press time, the day of the gig had still to be fixed but tickets should be going on sale later this week. Fruupp, who continue to pick up fans in growing numbers, are due to release a first album this summer. Tickets for the concert will be 50p - see your evening paper or next week's column for details.

Keltic Wine will release a first single, "Hurricane Sailor", in a few days' time. The group are on the lookout for a keyboard player and any interested musicians can ring manager John Dee at Dublin 281134. Steve Travers, 4 Cregg Road, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary - an experienced bass guitarist - is on the lookout for a new band. Anyone interested can write to Steve at the above address.

Saturday afternoon pub rock scene at Moran's had a full house last week...a lot of the scene's younger fans have big hopes for Peggy's Leg...Mushroom manager Brian Molloy and friends Norman Harris and David Pennyfeather at Dun Laoghaire Town Hall last Friday...thinking about taking over another group no doubt...Keltic Wine manager John Dee has taken over Peggy's Leg...whoever writes the Evening Press pop page on Saturday should brush up on his group knowledge, if they think Alyce were an American band...expect a major announcement from Thin Lizzy shortly...nice to see the Mushroom record breaking through to the charts...wait for it, Country Club in Portmarnock starting their first rock gig next month...first Time Machine record selling for 12p in city record shops...Horslips back in town and well pleased with their trip to England...the feature in the Evening Press on Peggy's Leg last Saturday could do them more harm than good.

Pat Egan

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 19th July 1973

01 - Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me - Slade 

02 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee

03 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine 

04 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC 

05 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

06 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle 

07 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley

08 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels 

09 - Live On Mars - David Bowie

10 - Teddy Bear Song - Mary Lou & Harvest 

11 - Born To Be With You - Dave Edmunds

12 - Dingle Bay Boat Song - American Pie 

13 - Albatross - Fleetwood Mac 

14 - Super Single - Gloria & Johnny McEvoy 

15 - Snoopy Versus The Red Baron - Hot Shots 

16 - King Of The Fairies - Family Pride

17 - Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Paul Simon

18 - Devil Among The Tailors - Mushroom 

19 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir

20 - Dear John - Two's Company   
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03 - New Spotlight - Vol. 6 No. 3 July 12th 1973
Feb 14, 2008

Pat's column has a great big photo of Horslips this week, so let's read on and see what he has to say about them! Re-reading Pat's column I'm reminded how important it was in those days to do well abroad (that was a real sign of making it) and getting a deal (especially from a record company abroad) was the jackpot. Everything was judged on these criteria. I was also reminded of the constant struggle between rock bands and showbands - rock bands trying to get decent venues to play in and not having their best members siphoned off to play in a showband (better money and bigger crowds).


Good vibes for Horslips in England

Horslips have been coming in for some good press reviews on their current tour of England. Sounds Magazine was high in its praise and if what they say is anything to judge by, Horslips could well break big across the water. Irish fans are asking for a new album and my best is that Mr. Deeney (the band's manager) will get us a new LP in time to catch the Christmas market. I hope so.

Since their first appearance at Gonzo's Rock Palace the other week Sheriff have been the most talked about band around the scene. What with Peggy's Leg and Sheriff things are looking good for new bands. The scene badly needs new blood and it's up to promoters like Ollie Byrne and Gonzo to give new and unknown bands all the breaks they can.

After only a few months on the road, Jack - the band formed from the break-up of the Urge and Adolf J Rag - have gone off the road. Two of the group's line-up have been offered jobs with the Gentry. The group, who had been gaining popularity over the last few months, had been hoping for a recording break.

I was at Old Wesley last week to see Reform bring down the house at a school dance. The group just keep getting better and better all the time. They must be one of the few bands who play reggae and play it really well. It goes down a storm...

The new Sleepy Hollow were on show at Sgt. Peppers last Friday and I enjoyed the few numbers I heard them play. They have undergone not only line-up changes but musical ones as well, no longer overplaying the ego bit. They have the makings of a fine, tightly-knit outfit.

The weather refused to play its part for the free Open Air Concert in the Hollow, Phoenix Park last Sunday. Few people realise the effort that goes into organising such an event. I was in the park before ten in the morning and saw Chips sounding the place out and getting the gear ready. It was a pity the weather let everyone down. The bands involved deserved a lot more appreciation than the small crowd could give.

With Irish rock acts making big waves both in and outside the country, popularity and interest with the home fans runs something like this:

1- Rory Gallagher, 2 - Horslips, 3 - Planxty, 4 - Thin Lizzy, 5 - Van Morrison, 6 - Mushroom, 7 - Spud/Peggy's Leg, 8 - Fruupp/Time Machine, 9 - Sheriff, 10 - Angel

Another pub rock gig, this time on a Saturday afternoon  at Moran's Hotel, started its run last week. I am all for more gigs like this as it helps to get rock over to a wider audience. However (and I could be wrong) I can't see an afternoon gig going. But what's wrong with another night gig? After all, Gonzo's only runs on Tuesday and with rock's popularity growing it's only a matter of time until some of the larger pubs and lounges move into rock...

Newbridge volleyball club are on the look out for groups to play a series of dances. Groups interested can write or call to Reggie Herterich, 1625 Pairc Muire, Newbridge.

One-time Dublin club disc jockey Jock has been in touch with me from Greece where he is working in one of the top clubs. Jock - well known to Dublin fans from his gigs at the Flamingo and Countdown clubs - has also been to the States with Lindisfarne and to France with Genesis. Jock has plans to return to Dublin shortly where he will be doing a short tour before going back to London.

Comment

After recent TV show Planxty album again selling very well...expect new Skid Row band within the next couple of weeks...if the national newspapers are tipping Mushroom as the next big traditional force they haven't seen Spud...Was Philip Lynott of Thin Lizzy offered job with Deep Purple?...are we really supposed to take Peggy's Leg and Time Machine seriously when they claim present members of their line-ups played with Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash...watch out for the new Sleepy Hollow...only one original member of Dr. Strangely Strange (Tim Booth) left in reformed line-up...expect first Fruupp album before too long...the support your local Sheriff posters put out by the new Sheriff band very clever indeed...fantastic interest in the Van Morrison European tour...what with his compering at Gonzo's and disc sessions at Peppers and Zero's, DJ Lee is turning out to be Dublin's answer to top heavy jocks Bob Harris and Kid Jensen...why don't Terry and Gay Woods say nice things about Steeleye Span...some people at Polydor in London interested in Peggy's Leg...wait until they hear Sheriff...

Pat Egan 

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 12th July 1973

01 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC

02 - Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me

03 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle

04 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine

05 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

06 - Welcome Home - Peters & lee

07 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley

08 - Albatross - Fleetwood Mac

09 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels

10 - Snoopy Versus The Red Baron - Hot Shots

11 - Can The Can - Suzi Quatro

12 - See My Baby Jive - Wizzard

13 - The Groover - T. Rex

14 - Give Me Love - George Harrison

15 - One & One Is One - Medicine Head

16 - Teddy Bear Song - Mary Lou & Harvest

17 - Dingle Bay Boat Song - American Pie

18 - Sweet Illusion - Junior Campbell

19 - Super Single - Gloria & Johnny McEvoy

20 - King Of The Fairies - Family Pride
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02 - New Spotlight - Vol. 6 No. 2 June 28th 1973
Feb 7, 2008

Here we are again - Spotlight day! Hope you enjoy reading about what was happening in the rock world in Ireland in June 1973! I must dig out my copy of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" from Thin Lizzy because I never knew that Joan Armatrading played on it.

Joan, Kofi & Kid on new Lizzy tracks

Joan Armatrading, the West Indian singer/pianist who's on the verge of a major breakthrough in England, has been recording with Thin Lizzy this week. Joan will play piano on a couple of tracks. Also on the session were Kofi Ayivor from Osibisa who plays congas on "Hero and the Madman", which also features Kid Jensen reading the lines of the song. Lizzy may be using a string quartet on the album on at least two tracks.

"Whiskey in the Jar"has gone up to No. 8 in Germany and has been in the charts for over four months. Lizzy will tour Germany in September.

Johnathan Kelly, one of the biggest Irish names on the British scene, plus a host of other rock bands will give a free concert in the Phoenix Park next Sunday. Kelly, close to a major breakthrough in Britain, tops the bill on a show that will kicks off at midday. Dr. Strangly Strange, Angel, Sherriff and possibly Terry and Gay Woods will also be on show.

Zebadee, the band formed by the breakaway half of Demon Duck, have have a new lead singer making the band a five-piece. The new singer Pat Silke has already started gigging with the band and reaction has been great. The group are now doing 70% originals and hope to go into the studios shortly to lay down some tracks.

At last the date 20th July has been set for the long awaited release of the Gary Moore album. The album will not after all be a double but a single one. Released through CBS the album features Frank Boylan - bass, Philip Donnolly - guitar, Pearse Kelly - drums and Gary Moore lead guitar. The band recently underwent serious changes in line up and now only Pearse Kelly remains with Moore.

Reno Smith former drummer with Truth (the group that featured two ex-Them men) has now joined Chips as replacement for Robin Lavery. The last time Reno Smith played Dublin was when Truth supported Donovan at his RDS concert two years ago.

I caught Sherriff at Gonzo's last Tuesday and was as surprised as everyone else at their fine showing. Pat Ward's experience as lead singer with a half a dozen lesser bands stands him well and it's a mystery why he hasn't made an impact before now. He has a roaring bluesy voice full of earthy tension and with a good original exciting band behind him Sherriff look all set to take over.

Rotgut from Belfast were at St. Peppers on Friday. Nothing exceptional but a nice feel for their music is about the best way to describe what they had to offer. As with Richmond Hill, another Belfast band I heard recently, their numbers were very dated - all from around the last sixties. Not much hope for them going across the water with dated stuff...

Four-boys-one-girl band Taboo (I think nobody seemed to know their name) were at Zero's last Saturday. Again nothing exceptional to offer but went down well with the dancers. The girl had an appealing voice and the band were strong behind her. I can't see them breaking big with what they're offering at the moment...

Concert

If ever there was a perfect concert, or as near as that's possible, it was the Steeleye Span concert at my local cinema the State last week. After helping to promote the gig in this column over the last month I still had to pay my two quid at the door but I wouldn't have missed it for twenty pounds. Even the support acts turned in bill-topping performances. Singer-guitarist Martin Warren showed some fine moments of originality during his too short set. I still stand by what I said before about there being too many songwriter/singers jumping on the bandwagon. Unless you're in the Cat Stevens-Roy Harper-Harvey Andrews class you're wasting your time. On this showing Martin Warren had a lot to offer. I look forward to hearing him again: but Martin...no more gigs please like the one I saw at Liberty Hall with Bees Make Honey. If it wasn't for the brilliance of Steeleye this would have been Spud's show. They really put themselves on the map with Dublin rock fans. For a band who have only been on the road a couple of months they were superb from the word go. Spud, unlike some of the other traditional rock bands, have a tremendously distinctive sound which is most striking and completely unlike anything I have heard before. It's only a matter of until they are billtopping in their own right alongside Planxty and Horslips.

Live

Steeleye Span are simply remarkable - one of the most exciting original live acts anyone could ever wish to see. The group is built around Maddy Prior, the immensely likable and extremely pretty person who's tremendously distinctive voice is mind-blowing. Without Maddy, Steeleye just wouldn't be in the same class despite the rare creative talent of Tim Hart. The group's whole act is most imaginative and quite extraordinary. I can't remember the last time I came out of a concert feeling so emotionally touched by a group and so happy to be alive. Folk rock, soft rock, or whatever you call it, Steeleye music is beautiful.

Comment

Don't give up hope yet. Van Morrison hasn't said No Irish dates...surely Sean McGlynn of Odeon should know what acts are good for concerts without asking the audience to tell him...British musical press hinting at a split in Wings. Will Henry McCullagh be leaving?...Chips' drummer Robin Lavery very upset about being dropped from the group...is there unrest within the Horslips camp?...is it true Noel Bridgeman didn't want Eamonn Gibney in the new Skid Row...new Van Morrison single in the States called "Warm Love"...Spud playing rock club dates shortly...are Mushroom playing the right venues...Sleepy Hollow in Dublin this weekend and not last (my error)...Loudest Whisper will be back in action at the end of July.

Pat Egan   

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 28th June 1973

01 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC

02 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle

03 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

04 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine

05 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley

06 - Can The Can - Suzi Quatro

07 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels

08 - Albatross - Fleetwood Mac

09 - See My Baby Jive - Wizzard

10 - Give Me Love - George Harrison

11 - The Groover - T. Rex

12 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee

13 - Snoopy Versus The Red Baron - Hot Shots

14 - One & One Is One - Medicine Head

15 - Super Single - Gloria & Johnny McEvoy

16 - Randolph's Tango

17 - Tie A Yellow Ribbon - Dawn

18 - Dearg Doom - Horslips

19 - Stuck In The Middle With You - Steelers Wheel

20 - Sweet Illusion - Junior Campbell 

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01 - New Spotlight - Ireland's National Music Entertainment Weekly - Vol. 6 No. 1 June 21st 1973
Jan 31, 2008

It is my intention to post a blog every Thursday (schedule allowing) with this heading. Let me explain what New Spotlight was and what it meant to me (and probably a lot of people) at that time.

New Spotlight was a weekly music magazine. It was originally called Spotlight but that was before my time. I don't remember when I first started buying it religiously but lately when going through some old stuff I discovered a bunch of them from the '70's.

Now let me paint the scene a little about that time. I was just 15 years old and had just started to play the guitar. National radio (RTE) played very little music and practically all the music they did play was - well, not rock music, let's put it that way. There was no internet, no instant access to news and information, etc., so Spotlight (or New Spotlight in my case) was basically the ONLY source of any music info. It came out every Thursday and I can still remember the excitement of picking up my copy each week. If for some reason it wasn't there until Friday I was so disappointed!

It had - a letter's page called "Sound Off", it had a short news page (or pages) called "Scene", Larry Gogan's "Disc Preview", it had articles, it had a "charts" page and to me at that time the most important page(s) of all was Pat Egan's "Heavy Sounds". This was my only way to find out what was going on in the rock world and my only way to get info about Rory Gallagher!!

The idea is that I will transcribe Pat's page here each week so show you what was happening within the rock music scene in Ireland in the early seventies. This first entry comes from Spotlight Vol. 6 No. 1 June 21st 1973. Happy reading. P.S. if I have time I'll try to do the charts as well because that will really show you what was selling in Ireland at the time.

Please feel free to leave a comment if you are one of the musicians mentioned in Pat's column this week, if you know some of the musicians mentioned or if you have any memories or stories to tell from this period.

Mystery surrounds moves made last week to re-form the old Purple Pussycat line-up with some big financial backing. With the group's former lead guitarist/organist Dave Murphy just back from Canada and drummer Shay Murphy out of a job because the Hoedowners are going off the road. With Eamonn Gibney not sure if he's coming or going with the new Skid Row, the idea re-forming the band seemed like a good one. Nobody was willing to make any comment about the moves but Gerry O'Donovan did say, "For my part it's going to take a lot of going into before I say yes to joining any group again".

Two Irish musicians making the news in London this week are Gary Moore and Paul Keogh...Dublin born session guitarist Paul Keogh, who had been featured on albums by Lou Reed and Carly Simon will this week be recording with superstar piano man Elton John on some tracks for his new album.

Gary Moore was jamming with Paul McCartney and Wings on one of the group's recent London gigs. Gary, who is highly rated in London rock circles, was one of a number of musicians who was asked to gig with the band.

John L. Curtis is the new bass player with the Gary Moore band. Curtis comes from the Mike Hugg Band and has already started work with Moore and his band. The group are recording a single to be followed by an album.

I caught up with Angel (after chasing them around various halls) at Gonzo's where they were supporting the Eamonn Gibney show. I must say I came away very impressed with the group, a long cry from their Fantasy days. Their singer Fran has improved a lot - he's taken on a kind of Cahir O'Doherty image, which can't be bad. They did a lot of good originals and the one based on Judy Garland's life was especially good. If they continue to improve at their present rate, new manager Pat Maguire will be working overtime with his diary.

The Rory Gallagher special on RTE was too short, otherwise it was a nice surprise, enjoyed by all his fans and mums and dads too. The sound was pretty good even with the bass and drums a little lost in the mix. Rory may have been home in Cork in time to catch the show. It would be interesting to hear his views on it.

It surprises me that enterprising Horslips' manager Mick Deeney hasn't been on the ball regarding the failure of the Horslips' album, "Happy To Meet" to turn up on cassette and eight track. Sizable sales have been lost as it's seldom a day goes by without someone asking for it on tape (comment from me - Pat Egan had a record shop at the time called the Sound Cellar).

Back in town last week for a TV gig, Philip Lynott told me: "We are not upset that the single has not taken off, we are confident that the new album will give us the break we have really been chasing. We have only one more track to record and it should be out in a couple of months. Kid Jensen has recorded one track with us on the album and it's turned out really well." 

The Gonzo Rock Palace served up some really fine sounds last week when Eamonn Gibney and some very distinguished friends including Lizzy stars Philip Lynott and Brian Downey, Terry Woods, Danny Ellis, Gerry O'Donovan, Dave Murphy, Bob Kelly, Fran Byrne and some of the superstar cast all shared the stage. Gibney, with his distinctive and powerful vocal style, proved that any band lucky enough to get his services could count themselves fortunate. His handling of numbers like "Get On The Right Road" and J.J. Cale's "After Midnight" were superb. There is no doubt Gibney is the only vocals man in the Paul Rodgers/Jon Anderson class that the Irish scene has to offer.

I was at Zero's last Saturday and caught a couple of numbers by the much praised Peggy's Leg. Musically they are a find band with Jimmy Slevin playing some incredibly good guitar, but the vocals are not everything they might be. The harmonies were very edgy and the group's overall vocal sound had little to recomment it. I am sure the boys are working hard on getting their own sound and it's only a matter of time before they get everything into order. I look forward to hearing Peggy's Leg again.

This weekend sees the first visit to Dublin of the new look Sleepy Hollow, who are hoping to make a big impact on the Dublin scene. Sleep Hollow can be seen at Sgt. Pepper's tomorrow night, Friday.

Shorts

After a long wait expect Reform single in next few weeks...what's the chances of Rory Gallagher turing up at Gonzo's Rock Palace?...Thin Lizzy's "Randolph's Tango" sold only 12,000 compared with 250,000 for "Whiskey In The Jar"...with a No. 1 single and album in the States, Henry McCullagh really in the big money with Wings...sign of the times comment to me last week from T.J. Byrne - one time manager of the Royal Showband and now the Big 8 - "it seems your business is taken over from mine now, Pat."

Thin Lizzy did some of the numbers from their new album at RTE last week and reports had it they were the best Lizzy songs ever...Loudest Whisper have gone off the road for a couple of months, but don't worry they promise to come back better than ever...what's keeping Horslips from getting the big push in Britain and are they worried by Marc Bolan's statement that "Glam Rock is Dead"...I had over a dozen requests for the postcard Rory Gallagher sent me from the States, and which we published the other week...Thin Lizzy T-shirts now on sale in Dublin.

Former all-girl group Tranquility, who played the Dublin club circuit two years ago, have re-formed in Hamburg and are now a four-piece. The group have been touring Sweden and also playing gigs in Germany and Holland. They hope to return here at Christmas so be on the look out for gigs...hopes of a Wishbone Ash concert here next week were sinking fast as tickets failed to make their appearance at teh usual venues. The group had been booked to play Dublin's Fillmore West on 29th June but as the Fillmore is up for sale the gig now appears to have fallen through. Many fans have been disappointed by this as the Ash have a huge Irish following.

- Pat Egan    

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 21st June 1973

01 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle

02 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

03 - Rubber Bullets - 10 CC

04 - See Ny Baby Jive - Wizzard

05 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine

06 - Can The Can - Suzi Quatro

07 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley

08 - Tie A Yellow Ribbon - Dawn

09 - Albatross - Fleetwood Mac

10 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels

11 - Give Me Love - George Harrison

12 - One And One Is One - Medicine Head

13 - Dearg Doom - Horslips

14 - Randolph's Tango - Thin Lizzy

15 - Walk On The Wild Side - Lou Reed

16 - Meet Me Tonight In Laredo - Gerry Black & The Seasons

17 - Stuck In The Middle With You - Steelers Wheel

18 - The Old Bog Road - Hugo Duncan

19 - Super Single - Gloria & Johnny McEvoy

20 - Broken Down Angel - Nazareth 

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Dancing in Ireland in 1949!!
Jan 24, 2008

Just recently when going through some old stuff my mother discovered her 'Carnival ticket' - from 1949!! (see scan).

Of course the discovery of this ticket led to lots of reminiscing on her behalf. 

If you can see the scan of the ticket clearly, then you'll notice it cost one pound. I asked her what her weekly wage was at that time and she said about one pound and ten shillings, so in other words the carnival ticket cost her most of her weekly wage (ten shillings being half a pound or fifty pence in 'new money'). Not much wonder she didn't miss too many nights (two). As you might also notice there was no dance on Saturday night, in connection with Mass on Sunday. As far as she could recall the carnival was in late July.

Of course I was interested in what bands might have played then. She recalls dancing to Dave Dixon, who she said was the first band she ever seen with a brass section and uniforms. The Clipper Carlton also paid a visit as did  the Jack Ruane band. The Kilfenora Ceili Band also made the trip all the way up from Co. Clare. These bands would have been known as dance bands, or indeed orchestras, in their day and they all sat down while they played. Later they evolved into showbands because they stood up when they played and put on a show.

More local outfits would have been the Eugene Leddy Ceili Band from Butlersbridge, Joe Coyle, Belturbet & Tim Fitzpatrick from Lisnamane.

I suppose when I started playing music in the early 70's the summer marquee/carnival tent was still on the go but it was probably on its last legs as the main source of summer entertainment because pubs and dancehalls were running regular gigs as well by then. Dancing was still one of the main forms of entertainment for young people at that time, there was no 'drink' allowed and as far as we were concerned marijuana sounded like the name of an island somewhere in the Caribbean!!

I'm sure music and live entertainment will always be a part of people's lives and who knows, maybe in 50 or 60 years from now someone will discover an old ticket for a Barry Mc Cabe concert and their children will say to them - wow, you seen him live?? lol.

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