Thin Lizzy was an Irish rock band that released twelve studio albums between 1971 and 1983. They started as a power trio fronted by bassist–singer Phil Lynott with guitarist Eric Bell and drummer Brian Downey, the one other constant member. This lineup released the 1971–73 albums Thin Lizzy, Shades of a Blue Orphanage, and Vagabonds […]
Ruefrex were an Irish New Wave/post-punk band from Belfast, formed in 1977 and active for 10 years. The band released three small-press singles between 1979 and 1983, followed by the 1985 album Flowers for All Occasions on Kasper/MCA. Members: Paul Burgess (drums, 1977-87), Tom Coulter (bass, 1977-86), Ivan Kelly (vocals, 1977-78), Jackie Forgie (guitar, 1977-82, […]
Silent Running were an Irish modern-rock band from Belfast that released the album Shades of Liberty with assorted singles on EMI/Parolphone in 1984/85, followed by two albums on Atlantic during the latter part of the decade. Members: Peter Gamble (vocals), Tony Scott (guitar), Richard Collett (bass), Ian Gault (drums), Alex White (keyboards, 1984) Silent Running […]
Gary Moore (April 4, 1952 — Feb. 6, 2011) was an Irish blues-rock/hard-rock/jazz-rock guitarist with a musical career that spanned more than 40 years. He first emerged as a member of the Limerick rock combo Granny’s Trip, which issued the album Honest Injun on Deram in 1969. This was followed by two albums with blues-rockers […]
Chris De Burgh (born Oct. 15, 1948) is an Irish singer/songwriter with a recording career that dates back to the mid-1970s. Since that time, he has released more than 20 studio albums. His most successful periods include the conceptual/orchestral works that he issued on A&M between 1974 and 1979, followed by his art-pop/folk-rock material for […]
The Adventures were an Irish pop/rock band that was active throughout the 1980s. The band released a clutch of singles and three albums on Chrysalis and Elektra between 1984 and 1989. A fourth album appeared on Polydor in the early ’90s. Members: Terry Sharpe (lead vocals), Pat Gribben (guitar), Paul Crowder (drums), Tony Ayre (bass), […]
Clannad are a Celtic Irish folk-rock/New Age collective that was initially active as a recording entity between the early 1970s and late 1990s. Members: Ciarán Ó Braonáin [Ciara Brennan] (bass, guitar, keyboards), Pól Ó Braonáin [Pól Brennan / Paul Brennan] (tin whistle, flute, guitar, keyboards, 1970-90, 2011-present), Pádraig Ó Dúgáin [Pat Duggan] (mandolin, harmonica, guitar, […]
Jonathan Kelly (born July 8, 1947) is an Irish singer/songwriter who was active between the late 1960s and mid-1970s. He first emerged in beat combo The Boomerangs, which issued the single “Dream World” on Pye in 1966. He was next found in the momentary trio Humpy Bong, which also featured ex-Bee Gee Colin Petersen and […]
Dr. Strangely Strange were an Irish folk/psych combo that issued two albums on the Island and Vertigo labels between 1969 and 1970. The recordings for a proposed 1971 album were ultimately released by archival label Hux Records in 2007. Members: Tim Booth (vocals, guitar), Ivan Pawle (bass, keyboards), Tim Goulding (vocals, keyboards), Joe Thoma (fiddle, […]
Fruupp was an Irish symphonic-rock band that released four albums on Dawn between 1973 and 1975. Members: Vince McCusker (guitar, vocals), Peter Farrelly (vocals, bass), Stephen Houston (keyboards, oboe, cello, violin, 1971-74), John Mason (keyboards, 1975-76), Martin Foye (drums) Inception The band formed in 1971 when guitarist Vincent McCusker enlisted singer/bassist Peter Farrelly, keyboardist Stephen […]
Horslips was an Irish Celt-rock/folk band that released four albums on self-press Oats between 1972 and 1975. They renamed the label Horslips Records for five additional albums and two live discs up through 1980. Outside Ireland, their 1973 concept album The Táin appeared on MCA and their 1976–77 albums The Book of Invasions and Aliens […]
Mellow Candle was an Irish folk-rock band, first formed in 1963 as a girl trio. After a one-off single in 1968, they reconfigured as a five piece. Their singular album, Swaddling Songs, appeared in 1972 on Deram. In the late ’90s, the album’s popularity spread globally across the internet, prompting a release of 1969–71-era material […]
Rory Gallagher (March 2, 1948 — June 14, 1995) was an Irish blues-rock/hard-rock guitarist who was active between the late 1960s and early ’90s. He first emerged as the frontman of Cork power-trio Taste, which issued two albums circa 1969/70. He launched his solo career with back-to-back albums on Atco/Polydor in 1971. His popularity peaked […]
Microdisney were an Irish sophisti-pop band that was active during the 1980s. The band released a pair of singles on Kabuki circa 1982/83, followed by their 1984 debut album Everybody Is Fantastic on Rough Trade, which also issued 1985’s sophomoric The Clock Comes Down the Stairs. After the three-song In the World EP, the band signed […]
Mushroom were an Irish folk-rock band that was active during the first half of the 1970s. In 1973, the band released the album Early One Morning on Hawk Records. Members: Members: Aonghus McAnally (guitar, recorder, tin whistle, vocals), Colm Lynch (percussion, wind chimes, wood chimes, vocals), Alan Brown (bass, 12-string guitar, vocals), Michael Power (organ, […]
Peggy’s Leg were an Irish symphonic-folk band that was active for three years during the early 1970s. The band released one album, Grinilla, in 1973 on their self-ran Bunch label. A non-album single followed in 1974. The final lineup of the band included original Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell. Members: Jimi Slevin (guitar, vocals, 1972-74), […]
Supply Demand & Curve were an Irish symphonic/jazz-rock five-piece that evolved from the unrecorded band Jazz Therapy in the mid-1970s. The quintet released a self-titled album on Mulligan in 1976. Electroacoustic composer Roger Doyle was an early, pre-album member of the band. Members: Brian Masterson (bass, vocals), Jolyon Jackson (recorder, keyboards, cello, melodica, vocals), Greg […]
Taste was an Irish blues-rock power trio that was active between 1968 and 1970. They issued two turn-of-the-decade albums on Polydor before guitarist/vocalist Rory Gallagher disbanded the group to launch his solo career. Two live documents and a mini-album of unreleased early recordings were issued post-breakup. Members: Rory Gallagher (vocals, guitar, 1966-70), Eric Kittringham (bass, […]
Tír na nÓg was an Irish folk–psych duo comprised of guitarist–vocalist Sonny Condell and onetime Emmet Spiceland multi-instrumentalist Leo O’Kelly. They made the 1971–73 Chrysalis albums Tír na nÓg, A Tear and a Smile, and Strong in the Sun. Condell made the praised 1977 album Camouflage and co-founded the folk combo Scullion. Members: Leo O’Kelly […]
Turner and Kirwan of Wexford was the Irish musical partnership of multi-instrumentalists Pierce Turner and Larry Kirwan. The two formed in Wexford as Aftermath, recording a 1971 single under that name for Polydor. Their singular album, Absolutely and Completely, appeared on Peters International in 1977. The project concluded two years later in New York City. […]
U2 are an Irish rock band that has been active since the late 1970s. During the first half of the 1980s, they released four studio albums: Boy (1980), October (1981), War (1983), and The Unforgettable Fire (1984), followed with the 1987/88 mega-sellers The Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum. Members: Bono (vocals, guitar, harmonica, synthesizer, […]
Zerra One were an Irish modern-rock band that released several small-press singles and two albums for Mercury during the mid-1980s. The band issued their self-titled first album, produced by Todd Rundgren, in 1984. The Domino Effect, produced by Barry Blue, followed in 1986. Members: Paul Bell (vocals, keyboards), Andreas Grimminger (guitar), Adrian Wyatt (bass), Korda […]
The Fountainhead were an Irish modern rock band that was active through most of the 1980s. Formed in Dublin in 1982 by multi-instrumentalist Pat O’Donnell and guitarist/vocalist Steve Belton, the band released a three-song 12″ on their namesake Fountain label in 1984. This was followed by two albums on China/Chrysalis between 1986 and 1988, the […]
Andwella’s Dream were an Irish psychedelic pop trio that released the album Love and Poetry on CBS in 1969. Two further albums appeared on Reflection circa 1970/71 after the band expanded to a four-piece and abbreviated its nameplate to Andwella. Andwella’s Dream members: David Lewis (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Nigel Smith [Nigel Portman-Smith] (bass, vocals), Wilgar […]
Blue in Heaven were an Irish modern-rock foursome formed in Dublin in 1982. The band released two singles on Island in 1984, followed by two albums for the label in 1985 and 1986. A self-released EP appeared in 1988. The nameplate was altered to Blue Angels for a further round of releases during the early […]
Them was an Irish R&B–beat group from Belfast fronted by Van Morrison. Between 1964 and 1966, they released eight singles and the Decca albums The Angry Young Them and Them Again. Their popular songs include “Baby Please Don’t Go,” “Here Comes the Night,” “Mystic Eyes,” and the much-covered “Gloria.” When Morrison launched his solo career, […]
Spud were an Irish folk-rock band from Dublin that released two albums on Philips during 1974 and 1975, followed by a third on 3 Beats-subsidiary Release Records in 1977. Members: Michael Smith (vocals, bass), Don Knox (vocals, fiddle, viola, harmonica), Dermot O’Connor (vocals, electric guitar, mandolin, harp, 1973-?), Austin Kenny (mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar, recorder, […]
Mama’s Boys were an Irish hard-rock/metal band from Enniskillen that released two albums on Pussy Records between 1980 and 1982, followed by the breakthrough Turn It Up on Spartan Records in 1983. Three further albums appeared on Jive between 1984 and 1987, followed by a pair of titles on Music For Nations and Intercord during […]
Jimi Slevin (born June 1950) is an Irish singer/songwriter and guitarist from Dublin who fronted the symphonic-folk band Peggy’s Leg for two years during the early 1970s. In 1978, he assembled the band Firefly and released the album Getting There on EMI. As a solo artist, he released the album Freeflight on Claddagh Records in […]
Gillian McPherson is an Irish singer/songwriter from Belfast who released the album Poets and Painters and Performers of Blues on RCA Victor in 1971. She reemerged in 1987 with the single “Sweet Deceit” on Gee Wizz Records, released under her real name Gillie. Discography: Poets and Painters and Performers of Blues (1971) “Sweet Deceit” / […]
Gilbert O’Sullivan — Raymond Edward O’Sullivan (Dec. 1, 1946) — is an Irish singer/songwriter from Waterford; raised in Swindon, England, from age 11-onward. He initially recorded as “Gilbert,” issuing two 1967/68 singles on CBS and a third on Major Minor in 1969. Between 1971 and 1977, he released five proper albums under his full name […]
Anno Domini were an Irish folk-psych band from Dublin that released the album On This New Day on Deram in 1971. Members: Dave Mercer (vocals, guitar, bass), Kerry Scott (vocals, harmonica, percussion, 1970-71), David “Tiger” Taylor (guitar, vocals), John Evan-Jones (guitar, 1971), Trevor Jones (bass, 1971) Discography: On This New Day (1971)
Joe O’Donnell (born Sept. 4, 1948) is an Irish violinist who played with various folk and rock bands between the late 1960s and mid-’70s. In 1977, he released the jazz-rock solo album Gaodhal’s Vision on Polydor. Discography: Gaodhal’s Vision (1977)
Jackie McAuley (born Dec. 14, 1946) is an Irish singer/songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist from Coleraine who briefly played with Belfast beat group Them in 1965. The following year, he turned up in rival group the Belfast Gypsies, which cut two singles and a 1967 album on Sonet. At decade’s end, he formed the folk-psych duo […]
Flibbertigibbet was a folk band formed in 1976 in South Africa. In 1978, they released the album Whistling Jigs to the Moon on Stanyan Records. Vocalist Alison O’Donnell and guitarist David Williams hailed from Irish folk-psych legends Mellow Candle, which issued the album Swaddling Songs on Deram in 1972. Members: Alison O’Donnell (vocals), David Williams […]
The Bothy Band were an Irish folk-rock/Celt sextet that released four albums on Mulligan Records between 1975 and 1978. Members: Dónal Lunny (bouzouki, vocals), Paddy Keenan (Uilleann pipes), Matt Molloy (flute), Mícháel Ó Domhnaill (guitar, vocals), Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (clavinet, vocals), Paddy Glackin (fiddle, 1974), Tony MacMahon (accordion, 1974), Tommy Peoples (fiddle, 1975), Kevin Burke […]
Bob Geldof — aka Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof (born Oct. 5, 1951) — is an Irish singer, songwriter, bandleader, and philanthropist from Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, who rose to prominence as the frontman of New Wave rockers The Boomtown Rats, which released six albums between 1977 and 1984. As an actor, he starred as Pink in […]
Van Morrison (born Aug. 31, 1945) is an Irish singer/songwriter from Belfast who emerged as the frontman of R&B/beat combo Them during the mid-1960s. In 1967, he debuted as a solo artist with the album Blowin’ Your Mind on Bang Records, scoring an international hit with “Brown Eyed Girl.” Between 1968 and 1979, he released […]
Eire Apparent was an Irish psychedelic pop band that made the album Sunrise, produced by Jimi Hendrix and released in 1969 on Buddah Records. Members: Ernie Graham (vocals), Chris Stewart (bass), David Lutton (drums), Henry McCullough (guitar, 1967-68), Mick Cox (guitar, 1968), David “Tiger” Taylor (guitar, 1968-69), Peter Tolson (guitar, 1969), Steve Jolly (guitar, ?-1970) […]
The Boomtown Rats are an Irish band that was active as a recording unit between the late-1970s and mid-1980s. Members: Bob Geldof (vocals), Johnnie Fingers (keyboards, vocals), Gerry Cott (guitar 1975-81), Pete Briquette (bass), Garry Roberts (guitar, vocals), Simon Crowe (drums, vocals) Formed in Dublin in 1975, the Boomtown Rats took its name from a […]
