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The Cyclones
were formed by Paul Deering (original drummer) in 1960 and
were one of the first Beat Groups to hit the Irish music scene. They
started playing the Tennis and Rugby Club circuit and subsequently
enjoyed great success in the developing Dublin club scene in venues
such as Zhivago, Club Arthur, Sloopys, Five Club etc.
The original band members were; Liam Brady (lead guitar),
Al Brady (rhythm guitar), Don Byrne (Bass), Paul
Deering ( Drums), Ray Rothery (Sax) and Brian Whelan
(Lead Singer). The played the very popular Saturday Landsdowne RFC
gig for many years.
The Group disbanded in 1970 and reformed as Spice with
Chris Hynes on drums, Jack Lawlor (RIP) on lead guitar,
Jimmy Mullen (Larry’s uncle) on Sax and Flute, joining Don
Byrne and Brian Whelan. Spice released their only
single, on Polydor in 1972 – “Looking My Way” (composers
Jackie Hayden & Bren Cullen) with “Last Year”
(composers Barry Flynn & Joe McGuinness). The individual members
worked as session musicians under Producer John Dardis in the
legendary Trend Studios throughout the '70s and are featured on
several successful albums by well-known Irish artists.
A hastily cobbled together Cyclones played at Bono’s wedding
on 21st August 1982 (see Shay Healy’s memoir “On the
Road”). The Cyclones reformed for a one-off 25th
anniversary reunion gig at Jury’s Hotel in 1985 and did it all again
for the 40th anniversary in Templeogue LTC. Both gigs
were for charity and sold out. There are scary rumours about a final
anniversary gig in 2010
Al Brady, Chris Hynes and Brian Whelan are still independently
actively involved in music.
Brian Whelan; June 2007
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