The Emperors (Derry)

Eddie "Every Voice" Kerr, vocalist with The Emperors got his nickname for his ability to mimic other singers.
Now, what's The Barracuda Showband doing here? Read on . . .

Eddie Kerr, son of the Emperors' singing  star, is a playwright. His play, 'One Night Stands' is an innovative piece of theatre which transports the audience to a dancehall on the west coast of Ireland on Valentine's Night 1961. The Derry based showband, the Barracudas are playing their first gig in a syndicated ballroom; a real big deal for the band on the cusp of greatness meaning if they do 'it' tonight they can do 'it' anywhere with guaranteed bookings and celebrity status within reach. There has never been a more important night for the band and their innovative leader 'Flash' McCann and the punters couldn't get enough and neither could the greedy dancehall owners who formed a syndicate to control and maximise their profits. This is the  hilarious story of how one band just wanted to play music - not just any music but rock and roll. The play was staged at An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, The Waterside Theatre, Derry, the Plaza, Buncrana and St. Patrick's Hall Strabane to great success. Now, about the trumpet-player's hairstyle and bugle - well, that's another story.

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