Omagh, Co. Tyrone was always proud of its band, St. Eugene’s Brass & Reed Band. Young lads with an interest in music got a great musical education there, and many of them went on to join showbands. While at school at the local C.B.S. in the late ‘50s, four young musicians Pat Chesters, Leo Doran, Billy McGinty and Ray Moore formed a group and played at local dances. Within a few months they had acquired a following and there was demand for them to travel further afield.  Naturally, their parents were apprehensive about their wish to turn professional, but their enthusiasm and love for their music eventually won their approval. Guitarist Arty McGlynn, bassist Seán Hamilton and singer Brian Coll were signed up and The Platters were on the road.

The Platters were renowned for their brass arrangements and their exciting versions of American soul numbers, though they also covered current chart hits and country songs. Their singer Brian Coll was featured on their first records with numbers such as “I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen”, “The Rose Of Tralee” and an Irish version of the Roger Miller hit “England Swings” which they changed to “Ireland Swings”.

Because of illness, Coll stepped down in 1962 and was replaced by Dave Thornton, but having recovered, he later rejoined the band. When The Freshmen were being formed in Ballymena in 1962 by members of Billy McFarland’s band, drummer Johnny Murphy was about to join them when an offer came in from Omagh and he joined The Platters instead.

The Platters made a number of T.V. appearances including “Band Date” on BBC and “The Showband Show” on RTE as well as broadcasting on RTE Radio’s “Seventeen Club”.

In 1965, Belfast promoter Jim Aiken took over the reins as manager, and the band changed their name to The Plattermen, mainly because there was a successful vocal group in the U.S.A. who shared their name. They embarked on two successful tours of the U.S.A. and like most showbands, played the Irish circuit in Britain during Lent. There were big changes both in the band’s personnel and sound in 1967. Guitarist Alan McCartney and bassist Rob Strong joined the band. Strong, father of Andrew Strong who starred in the film “The Commitments” was a rocker with a powerful voice and performed numbers made popular by bands such as “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and “Chicago”.

The band-suits were discarded in favour of casual clothes and The Plattermen became one of the biggest draws on the dancing circuit. Simon Scott took over lead vocals, Gerry McElduff came in on drums and John Trotter joined the band on trombone and violin. Their L.P. record is regarded as a classic and while other less-inventive showbands were disbanding, their change of direction definitely added years to their time at the top.

Some of the lads are still performing. Rob Strong has his own band which includes Ray Moore on Hammond organ. Arty McGlynn has carved a reputation in a wide range of musical genres, including traditional.

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