Glenfarne.com

The late Jim Aiken described the now legendary “Miami Showband Memorial Concert” at Vicar Street, Dublin, on August 1st 2005 as “the greatest Showband concert ever staged”. On that occasion, the reception given to the three surviving Miami Showband members Des Lee, Stephen Travers and Ray Millar by the capacity audience was unprecedented. It was that very concert that started the ball rolling toward a full-blown countrywide reunion tour.

It took three years to organise but on September 16th 2008 The Miami Showband returned to Vicar Street for a very special concert to say “thank you” to the Irish people for their love and support for over three decades. The three legendary figures of the showband era were accompanied by three of the greatest musicians this country has ever produced, Johnny Fean (Horslips), Gerry Brown (Dana) and Barry Woods (The Real McCoy). On the following night, September 17th 2008, the Miami Showband travelled north for a sister concert at The Royal Opera House in Belfast in a symbolic gesture to finally reunite their massive fan base that was spread throughout every city, town and village on this island.

During the sixties and seventies, thousands of adoring fans packed the dance halls and concert venues throughout Ireland, the UK to catch a glimpse of and listen to The Miami Showband. This band, more than any other, embodied the popular music and style of their era.

The Miami Showband reached its artistic pinnacle while fronted by the young talented Fran O’Toole. The very best young musicians in the country accompanied him. Des Lee, Stephen Travers, Ray Millar, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy were loved by their countless fans and respected by their peers. They were unstoppable until fate intervened and took the young lives of Fran, Tony and Brian. It was indeed “The Day the Music Died”.

You can catch the band live on their special reunion tour at The Rainbow Ballroom of Romance Glenfarne on Easter Sunday Night, a night not to be missed.