Larry Cunningham Story (1960-2012)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
Larry's legendary career started as a singer
with the Grafton Showband from Gowna around 1960, although he wasn't
with them long as he was soon the lead singer with the newly formed
Mighty Avons which came together around 1961. Formed at the very start of the showband era, the
Mighty Avons, if nothing else, were consistent, lasting nearly a
decade without a single lineup a change. The band's original lineup included: Larry
Cunningham (vocals), Brian Finlay (drums), Ronnie Griffiths
(keyboards/guitar), Gerry Walsh (bass), Mick Brady (guitar) and
brothers Jimmy (trombone), Peter (sax) and Paddy (trumpet) Smith.
In
it's early years, the band was a typical showband playing "all
things to all people," but as the split between country and pop
bands become the norm in the late sixties, the band chose the
"country and Irish" route as Larry was one of the all time best
selling artists in this unique genre.
Larry Cunningham was the star of the band from its
inception until his departure in late 1969. The band enjoyed a lot
of success with Larry, but he announced his last gig would be on
August 31, 1969. Despite rumours that he was leaving the band
to get married, Larry explained in a quote in Spotlight that it was
"purely a personal decision for the sake of my health and my
business." Ever the shrewd entrepreneur, Larry owned both a
supermarket and dry cleaning business.
As he left the band, Larry released a single from
his own Ramblin Irishman LP, The Ballad of James Connolly
and went on a short tour of England as a "special guest" with the
Plainsmen (both artists were managed by Mick Clerkin) before
returning to Ireland to form his own band, The Blue Boys, which soon
added "country" to their name.
The Blue Boys were actually four members of the
Fairways (Gary Street had gone to join the Tom Kelly Sound in
Ballina) with the
addition of a new drummer and guitarist/fiddler. The Blue Boys were
launched on St. Stephen's Night, 1969 at the Fairyland Ballroom in
Roscommon. The original lineup was: Pat Cleary
(keyboards), Ollie Kennedy (bass), Mike Bryan (guitar) and Bobby
Clarke (trumpet) (all of the Fairways), along with newcomers Aidan Cunningham
(guitar/fiddle), and Terry Reynolds (drums). In the
Spotlight issue dated February 13-20, 1970, the band lineup was
listed in detail and included Michael Keane (formerly with the
Rhythm Stars) on sax, expanding the band to an eight piece.
As an aside, in
September of 1969, the Avons announced 24 year old Gene Stuart would take
over as the band's new lead singer and his first appearance with
them was in Tullamore on Friday, September 19th, 1969. Gene had previously been with the Regents
Showband.
An article in the March 27, 1970 issue of
Spotlight reported that Larry's Blue Boys were being forced to
change their name as the late Jim Reeve's backing band of the same
name were still touring despite the singer's passing. Apparently
adding the word "country" to their name would be enough and the band
carried on as Larry Cunningham and his Country Blue Boys.
In a Spotlight interview in August,
1971, Larry stated he would "quit the day I get married." In the
January 8th, 1972 issue of the magazine, he restated his commitment
as he prepared to marry Beatrice Nannery, the Manageress of Larry's
home town supermarket. Said Larry, "I may continue recording and
doing the odd spot in cabaret or concert, but the ballroom scene is
out." Larry was married on February 9th after undertaking a
"Farewell Tour" of the irish clubs in Britain between the end of
January and two days before his wedding. True to his word, he left
the Country Blue Boys and Mattie Fox was brought on board to fill
Larry's shows.
In March, 1972, an advert is Spotlight
announced the coming of the Country Blue Boys with 2 great singers,
Mattie Fox and Tony Treacy (although Tony had been playing guitar
with the band since 1970). They were advertised as "starting St.
Patrick's Night."
Mattie would leave the band in July of 1973 and
it was not clear in a June, 1973 article in Spotlight whether the
Blue Boys would continue on.
Larry continued to entertain audiences across
Ireland and the world until his death on September 28th 2012.
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
Discography (Partial)
Singles:
With the Mighty Avons
Tribute To Jim Reeves / Take My Hand Precious Lord -
#9 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1016 - January, 1965
I Guess I'm Crazy / Don't Make Me Go
-
#4 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1020 - April, 1965
Lovely Leitrim / There's That Smile Again
-
#1 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1030 - September, 1965
Among The Wicklow Hills / The World You Left Behind
-
#2 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1034 - April, 1966
Snowflake / The Wild Rapparee
-
#2 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1046 - November, 1966
Fool's Paradise / In The Misty Moonlight
-
#5 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1053 - February, 1967
Three Steps To The Phone / Cottage On The Borderline
-
#8 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1061 - July, 1967
Little Nell / I Dreamed About Mom Last Night
King Records - KG.1070 - December, 1967
The Emigrant / The Fugitive
-
#10 Irish Charts
King Records - KG.1073 - March, 1968
The Great El Tigre / Gweebarra Bay
-
#17 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.505 - November, 1968
Bracero / The Honkytonk Downstairs
Release Records - RL.512 - May, 1969
With the Country
Blue Boys
Ballad of James Connelly / Pretty Little Girl From Omagh
-
#10 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.524 - September, 1969
Don't Let Me Cross Over / A Church, A Courtroom Then Goodbye
-
#7 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.529 - December, 1969
Mother, The Queen of My Heart / The Lady Ninety Years Old
-
#13 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.534 - May, 1970
If You Should Come Back Today /
Release Records - Unknown - 1970
Pride of the West / San Antone/If You Should Come Back Today
-
#17 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.560 - January, 1971
Slaney Valley / I Was Coming Home To You
-
#1 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.608 - December, 1971
Four Great Irish Hits Volume 1 /
-
#4 Irish Charts
Release Records - MRL.1001 - July, 1972
Four Great Irish Hits Volume 2 /
-
#10 Irish Charts
Release Records - MRL.1002 - October, 1972
Goodbye Comes Hard To Me /
-
#5 Irish Charts
Release Records - Unknown - March, 1973
This Time Of The Year /
-
#3 Irish Charts
Release Records - Unknown - January, 1974
Lovely Leitrim / There's That Smile Again
-
#19 Irish Charts
Release Records - Unknown - June, 1974
My Kathleen / Boys
-
#3 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.775 - 1975
Hello Mr. Peters - Larry with Margo
-
#15 Irish Charts
Release Records - Unknown - December, 1975
Yes Mr. Peters / As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone - Larry with
Margo
Release Records - Unknown - 1976
Annagh Down /
-
#6 Irish Charts
Release Records - Unknown - September, 1976
Where The Blue and Lonely Go /
-
#19 Irish Charts
Release Records - RL.903 - April, 1977
Where The Grass Grows Greenest / Don't Let Me Cross Over /
Water For My Horse
Release Records - RL.1012 - 1980
The Story of My Life /
-
#16 Irish Charts
Ritz Records - Unknown - June, 1983
Galway and You /
-
#30 Irish Charts
Ritz Records - Unknown - November, 1983
Walk On By /
-
#26 Irish Charts
Ritz Records - Unknown - August, 1984
Albums:
Two Sides of Larry
King Records - KGL.4000 - January, 1967
Larry Cunningham
Sings Country and Irish
King Records - KGL.4007 - December, 1967
Ramblin'
Irishman
Release Records - RL.1001 - June, 1969
Country My Way -
Larry and the Country Blue Boys
Release Records - SRL.3004 - May, 1970
This Is Larry
Cunningham -
Larry and the Country Blue Boys
Release Records - BRL.4009 - Unknown
Songs Fresh From
Nashville - Larry
and the Country Blue Boys
Release Records - Unknown - 1972
Larry Cunningham In
Concert - Larry
and the Country Blue Boys
Release Records - BRL.4036 - 1973
Tribute To Jim Reeves
- Larry and the Country Blue Boys
Release Records - Unknown - 1974
Come Back To Erin
- Larry and the Country Blue Boys
Harp Records - HPE.629 - 1980
Audio Clips
Coming Soon
Where Are They Now?
(More to come)
