Eire Apparent
| Eire Apparent | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Years active | 1967–1970 |
| Labels |
Track Records Buddah Records |
| Past members |
Ernie Graham Davy Lutton Chris Stewart Henry McCullough Mick Cox David 'Tiger' Taylor Peter Tolson Steve Jolly |
Eire Apparent were a band from Northern Ireland, noted for launching the careers of Henry McCullough and Ernie Graham, and for having Jimi Hendrix play on, and produce, their only album.
The origins of the group stretch back to early '60s Belfast band Tony & The Telstars, which featured lead guitarist Rod Demick (born Roderick Demick, 1947, Prestatyn, Flintshire, North Wales), drummer Davy Lutton (born William David Lutton, 1946, Belfast), lead vocalist and guitarist George O'Hara and bassist Chris Stewart (born Eric Christopher Stewart, 1946, Belfast, Co Antrim). During 1965, Demick departed to join local R'n'B group The Wheels and Stewart joined German-based Irish band The Stellas. Their replacements included guitarist David "Tiger" Taylor, bassist Mike Niblett (from The Stellas) and apprentice auto mechanic Ernie Graham (born Ernest Harold Graham, 14 June 1946, Belfast) on rhythm guitar and backing vocals.
In late 1965 Lutton, O'Hara, Niblett and Graham formed pop outfit The People along with former Them keyboard player Eric Wrixon. They contributed two songs to the February 1966 compilation album Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups From Belfast's Maritime Club. In mid-1966 a "browned-off" Eric Wrixon announced the band were moving to England: "We hope it's forever... Nowhere, but nowhere, could be worse than Belfast." At the time they were using a stand-in guitarist in place of O'Hara and hoping to recruit Billy Harrison (ex-Them). Very soon afterwards Wrixon defected to another Belfast group resident on the Blackpool scene, The Wheels. Meanwhile, Mike Niblett and Chris Stewart had each swapped places and returned to their original bands. Guitarist Henry McCullough (formerly of The Sky Rockets Showband and Gene and The Gents) from Portstewart in Northern Ireland teamed up with The People in early 1967 and they quickly developed a strong reputation on the Blackpool and then (briefly) the Dublin music scenes.
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