5.
The Black Aces began life as a skiffle group wasy back in 1958 in the old De la Salle Boys' School in Patrick Street. The members were Liam Drennan (tenor saxophone), Ollie Kearney (guitar/vocals), Sean Holland (washboard), John Joe Cantwell (drums) and Jim Dwyer (tea-chest bass). They were later joined by Val Reynolds (electric guitar), Arthur Connick (trombone) and vocalists Paddy Hanrahan and Jimmy Lennon. The Black Aces performed at local dances in the C.Y.M.S. hall and in the Mayfair and Carlton ballrooms - their music ranging from Rock 'n' Roll to Country and Western and Trad. Jazz. Their popularity grew intensely and such was the demand for them that they turned professional. They toured all over Ireland, England and Scotland, attracting huge crowds everywhere they went. They even toured America twice and were the youngest professional band in Ireland at the time. Through the years, various personnel changes took place. Paddy "Sonny" Cullen and Tom Dollard replaced Jim Dwyer and Val Reynolds, respectively, and Jimmy Lennon left for Britain. During the 1960s The Black Aces made a record Serenade of the Bells featuring Sonny Cullen on vocals, and later Ollie Kearney recorded Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello. Both records were given well deserved airplay on Radio Eireann and both also made it into the Irish Top 20. They also appeared on the television series, The Showband Show, and were heard on the Radio Programme, the "Seventeen Club". The end of the showband era came at the beginning of the 1970s as did the era of The Beatles. The Black Aces disbanded in 1972.
6.
The Kentones were founded in November, 1963, with their first engagement on the following New Year's night, January 1, 1964, in the Carlton Ballroom. The original members included Michael Larkin, John Bolger, Kevin Delaney, Michael Drennan, Sean Kelly, Michael O'Shaughnessy, the late Paddy O'Keeffe and the late Tommy Donnelly (father of Jimmy). Their manager was the late Charlie Smyth from Stephens Street. Following a successful performance in Listowel, Co. Kerry, The Kentones secured a deal with Associated Ballrooms enabling them to perform in most of the major venues throughout Ireland. They also appeared on Ulster Television's showband programme, "Around About Seven", which gained them well-deserved promotion. A semi-professional band, The Kentones were very popular wherever they went but especially here in Kilkenny. Throughout their career other notable singers/musicians who joined The Kentones included brothers Michael and Leo Phelan, Michael Morrissey, Jimmy Donnelly, Mally Shields, Fergie Hogan, Dave Prim, Michael "Mog" O'Grady, Pat Fanning and the legendary Billy Murphy, one of the best-known entertainers in Kilkenny, whose career was launched as a member of the Astronauts.
7.
Band pictured here in Castlecomer in the 1950s Back row - Mickey Brennan, Larry Owens, Ben Delaney, Cathal Kelly, George Brennan. Front row: Jim Tynan, Paddy Healy, John Quinn, Michael Doyle.
8.
It all began for the Fifth Degree back in the Summer of 1965 in the basement of Flannery's Hotel, Kilkenny's answer to Liverpool's Cavern Club, and still a very popular venue for good music almost 30 years later. They got their name from Albert Lewis and were successfully managed by Eamon Langton. The original members were Joe Dunne (drums), Louis Keneally (lead guitar), Willie Maher (bass guitar/harmonica), Jim Kelly (rhythm guitar) and P.J. Finne- gan (vocals). They were later joined by John Travers on drums (who replaced Joe Dunne) and Pat Griffin on 12-string rhythm guitar (who replaced Jim Kelly). Anna Maher, sister of Willie and now married to Jim Kelly, bought the bass guitar for Willie who played it during his entire Fifth Degree career, having forsaken his harmonica. Both Willie Maher and John Travers are first cousins. In 1966, the line-up was Andy, John, Willie, Louis, P.J. and popular Kilkenny People employee, Pat Griffin (with occasional "guest" appearance by Dave Prim). Fifth Degree were together for four years, during which time they became one of Kilkenny's most successful groups, performing almost every weekend in the C.Y.M.S. hall, the Club House and in the Carlton and Mayfair ballrooms. They also won a talent contest in the Friary Hall and gave a few outdoor performances, as well as many other venues throughout the country. They shared stages with many of the top showbands and rock groups of their time. Their last performance together was on the television series "Like Now" hosted by Danny Hughes on January 19, 1969 - this date was also the 32nd birthday of Don.