The Black Aces

If you would like to share your memories of The Black Aces, please write a paragraph and email it to showbands-at-eircom-dot-net. Comments and memories of friends, band-members and fans will be published on this page.
...
 
 
.
.
 
.

In 1957, a group of young friends came together in the old De La Salle school in Patrick Street, Kilkenny, and having a mutual interest in music, decided to put a skiffle group together. Saxophonist Liam Drennan was joined by vocalist Ollie Kearney, who also played acoustic guitar, drummer John Joe Cantwell, Seán Holland (who later played trumpet) on washboard and Jim O’Dwyer on tea-chest bass. A local card-player, P.J. O’Neill suggested The Black Aces as a name for the combo, and throughout their long musical career, this name was never changed.

Soon the lads were joined by Val Reynolds who played electric guitar, trombonist Arthur Connick and by vocalists Jimmy Lennon and Paddy Hanrahan. In the early days, they played in local Kilkenny venues such as the CYMS, the Carlton and the Mayfair, but as their popularity grew, they decided to turn professional and accept engagements all over the island. Paul Fennelly took up the position as manager.

During one of their trips to Britain, Jimmy Lennon decided to leave the band and settled in Birmingham, where he carved out a solo career in the music business.  Sonny Cullen replaced Jim O’Dwyer on bass and Tom Dullard joined as lead guitarist.

..........................     Band-members
Liam Drennan - sax
Ollie Kearney - vocals & guitar
Paddy Hanrahan - vocals
John Joe Cantwell - drums
Seán Holland - trumpet
Jim O'Dwyer - bass
Sonny Cullen - bass & vocals
Val Reynolds - guitar
Tom Dullard - guitar
Arthur Connick - trombone
 

Selected Discography

1965: Serenade Of The Bells / Cause I Love You - Emerald MD1023
1966: Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello

All text copyright of Francis Kennedy and may not be used without written permission © 2007

 
IrishShowbands.Net Homepage    |    Showbands Index    |    Beat-Groups Index
 
 © francis kennedy 2001-2007