Originally Posted by Superhoops
Wouldn't say I knew so much about it but remember some of it from very early teens because an uncle was one of the managers in the old Arcadia Ballroom in Bray, which was a real popular spot, particularly for the Dublin/Wicklow based bands. The Mexicans/The Nevada/The Miami/Smokey Mountain Ramblers all had Bray/Greystones/Wicklow musicians involved.
Got to know the comings and goings between some of the bands and listened to many of the old records. I even play the CD's in the car these days when I get nostalgic.
Dont know if you got to see Dance Hall Q's and Hucklebuck Shoes, a musical about the showband era (I think it was on in Athlone). Great show with great music and video footage of the some of the showband greats. It also included Dickie Rock's son, Sean Dunphy's son and Eileen Reid's daughter all of whom sang tributes to their parents. BTW, Eileen Reid (The Cadets/"I gave my wedding dress away") and her daughter Claudine Day appeared in the recent musical 'The Halpenny Bridge'. Eileen is well over 60, probably nearer 70, and is still beltin them out.
There was also a Showband get together ‘Do you come here often’ in Dublin and Belfast over Christmas/New Year which featured Brendan Bowyer,
Larry Cunningham, Philomena Begley, Sadie Kelly and Ray Lynam.