Back: Tommy Ryan, Jimmy
Reilly; Middle: John Cosgrove, Frank Fahy, Eamonn Ryan;
Front: Willie Brogan, Tommy Walsh
Back: Jimmy Reilly, Pat Columb, Willie Brogan, Tommy Ryan. Front: Eamonn Ryan, Stan McCormack
LISTEN TO THE BANDITS >>>
Vocals: Tommy Ryan, Frank Fahy, Marty Walsh Guitar: Eamonn Ryan, Mike Lawless, Patrick O'Reilly, Johnny Walsh Bass: Tommy Ryan, Finian Thomas Trumpet: Tommy Walsh, Stan
McCormack, Noel Carroll Sax/Clarinet: Jimmy Reilly Trombone: Willie Brogan Drums: Pat Columb, Johnny Cosgrove, Donie Trautt, Mike Lawless Manager: Raymond O'Brien
The Bandits Showband was
formed by members of The Paramount Showband and was one of the many bands
in Tuam in County Galway. Managed by Raymond O'Brien, now a
newsagent on Galway's William Street, they were fronted by bassist Tommy
Ryan who had a velvet voice reminiscent of Jim Reeves and vocalist Frank
Fahy. Also in the band were Willie Brogan, Eamon Ryan, Jimmy Reilly and
Stan McCormack who was there until the band went off the road in the
early 1970s.
"Eamon Ryan, RIP and I were the
original co-founders, Raymond O'Brien saw an opportunity to put two
young, promising musicians who were playing with Liam Ivory at the time,
together with some members of a disbanding showband, The Paramount.
Jimmy Rielly was made leader of the band and we practised in a room over
The Chariot Wheel restaurant owned by our new manager Raymond O'Brien."
~ Johnny Cosgrove
Back: Mike Lawless, Marty Walsh, Noel Carroll, Finny Thomas. Front:
Stan McCormack, Jimmy Reilly.
Selected
Discography
1966: River Man / Rosa Rio Emerald
MD 1047
1967: One More Ride / Bright City Lights Emerald MD 1069
1968: Schuman Was His Name / Mrs. McGrath Emerald MD 1107
1970: Picture From Life's Other Side / Barefoot Nelly Emerald MD
1142
1970: A Mother’s Love’s A Blessing / Deepening Snow Emerald MD 1153
'Rosa Rio' on CD - The Very Best Of The Original Irish Showband
Greats - Emerald ERTVCD 0027
'Bright City Lights' on CD - Irish Showbands Volume 3 - Music Bank
APWCD 1083
'Barefoot Nelly' on CD - The Best Of Irish Showband Hits - The
Greatest Dancehall Hits - Emerald EGCD 7113
Band photos, cuttings, posters, adverts,
line-ups, etc. to be added to the online archive are always welcome and
appreciated. If you have anything to contribute, please contact us.
