The largest digital showband archive in the world!
Based In Sligo, Ireland / email:
showbands@gmsproductions.com
With thanks to Irish Newspaper Archives:
https://www.irishnewsarchive.com
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We
received sad news from community member John Harrold that Anne
Lynch, formerly of the New Tall Men and the Marines has passed away
in her home town of Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone. Anne is the sister of
"Shelley" (a.k.a. Jan) Lynch who had a career including stint with
the Mainliners and the two sisters were featured with the Marines.
Our sincere condolences are extended to her family, especially Jan
at this sad time, as well as her family and friends across the
country.
Sad
news today that Tommy Kinsella, an or4iginal members of the expanded
Cotton Mill Boys has passed away suddenly at his home near Bray, Co.
Wicklow. Tommy first came on the groups scene playing with the
Beavers and the well known Orange Machine before "crossing over"
onto the ballroom scene playing bass with the newly expanded Cotton
Mill Boys back in June, 1969. One of the first of the "pure country
bands," the Cottons quickly became a top act and eventually split
with three members (including Tommy) forming Buckshot in mid-1972.
He left the band ( we think) in 1975. In recent years he was
involved with his son's band, God Is An Astronaut. Our sincere
sympathies are extended to his wife, Karin, sons Niels and Torsten
and his family, friends and fans across the world. 
Sad
news that Roy Taylor, former lead singer with the Nevada passed away
after a battle with Motor Neuron Disease. Roy Taylor
joined the Nevada in 1977 following the departure of Ronny Medford.
He would end up as the owner of the Nevada. Roy kept the band going as long
as he could, but in 1983, he was approached by ex-Miami and
Memories singer/keyboard player, Peter Eades to form a band.
This ended up being the start of Jump The Gun. In 1988, the
band had the honour of representing Ireland in the
Eurovision Song Contest with his song, Take Him Home.
Since then, Roy continued to entertain audiences at home
and abroad. He was involved in several projects and
did regular work doing weddings, theatres and corporate
functions. Sadly, Roy recently suffered from Motor Neuron
Disease (MND) and spent much of his time workling to raise awareness
and research funding. He sadly passed away June 1m 2023. Our
sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans across
Ireland and the rest of the world. 
Sad
news today from commu8nity member John Harrold that Liam Cooke, formerly of the
Navak Showband
which subsequently became the Lightning Express has passed away in
Cavan we think at the age of 77. Liam was with the band from its
beginnings in 1965 and was one of several; members who stayed with
the band throughout its 12 year history. Also unusually, Liam
started as the bass player with the band and eventually switched to
drums, a rarity among the showbands. Our sincere sympathies
are extended to his wife, Margaret, his children, many grandchildren
and friends and fans around the country.
It
isn't often that I have the sad task of announcing the death of a
good friend and it is hard to do. News from community members John
Harrold and Teddie Palmer that Paul Lyttle, formerly of Chips has
passed away after a short illness. Having first met when I played in
a relief band before Chips on many occasions in the mid-1970s, Paul
was one of the most helpful and genuine guitarists I came across.
Later in life, we became friends and I have always admired both his
brilliant musicianship and his adventurous musical spirit when he
used to play Steely Dan music in the ballrooms when most pop groups
stuck to the Top 20. In recent years, he continued to perform as a
one man band and during Covid, he was someone who felt entertainers
needed help at a time when their livelihoods were stripped away by
government regulations. He will be sorely missed and our sincere
sympathies are extended to his family in Co. Meath, his former
bandmates and fans across the country.
Sad
news today from community member John Harrold that Martin Coll,
guitarist with the Big Valley, Buckaroos, and Rio Grande has passed
away. Brother of legendary front man Brian Coll, Martin was one of
the best known country guitarists of the Showband era. Our sincere
sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans across the
country and the UK. 
Very
sad news today from community member, Johnny Murphy, that former
Horslips guitarist Johnny Fean has passed away. Like Paul Lyttle,
Johnny was an acquaintance of mine and we had several conversations
some years ago about the musicians of the Showband era, whom he
admired and respected. He once let me use his Gibson Les Paul when I
played relief to him in 1975. Johnny was one of the most influential
guitarists on the Irish scene mainly due to his blending of rock and
traditional influences during his years with Horslips. He went on to
form the Zen Alligators and eventually reunited with his Horslips
mates in recent years for a time. He also teamed up with Steven
Travers formerly of the Miami in the 00s in the Fean and Travers
band. Born in 1951, Johnny was arguably the best electric
rock/traditional guitarist the country has known. Our sympathies are
extended to his wife, Maggie, his family and friends across Ireland
and the rest of the world. 
Sad
news today that John Kenna that Charlie Chapman, formerly of the
Miami Showband
has passed away in Lanzarote aged 66. Originally from Dublin,
Charlie joined the Miami shortly after they reformed after three
members of the band were killed in 1975. He was the lead singer with
the band from 1977 through (we think) about 1981. Charlie would
eventually move to Lanzarote and enjoy the good life in the sun as
well as playing regularly with many different musicians and on his
own. As far as we know he was performing regularly right up until
his death, having posted New Years getting on his Facebook page just
a week before we sadly learned of his death. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family and friends both
in Ireland and in Spain where he lived for many years.
Sad
news from community member Donal Cronin that Tony Lynch has passed
away in Cork. Brother of Pat Lynch, Tony played with both Sean
Dunphy and the Hoedowners and the Airchords showbands. We understand
that at some point Tony emigrated to Australia but he passed away in
Co. Cork. More to come...