Related: Diplomats, Regal, Derek Joys, Savoy

Two top sax-players, Chris St.Leger and Len McCarthy teamed up with Johnny Sweeney to form the brass section of a new showband in Cork in 1964. Chris had played with The Regal and The Derek Joys while Len had come from The Regal and doubled on bass. Lead guitarist was Wolfgang Nordt from Stuttgart, Germany. Waterford man Mick Cleere came from The Savoy Showband, played guitar and doubled on trombone while drummer Tony Erangey had laid down the beat with Cork’s Butter Exchange Brass & Reed Band.

All The Victors needed now was a dynamic, versatile lead vocalist. Art Supple was working on his father’s farm, just outside Youghal by day and singing with a semi-professional band, The Pat Irwin All-Stars who played relief to all the big bands at The Red Barn, Youghal, when he was approached to audition for The Victors. The handsome six-footer sang a few songs made popular by his idol, Brendan Bowyer and he was immediately offered the job.

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