Shaun O Dowd chats about his life in show business with Michael Lyster ...

The Showbands were a particularly Irish phenomenon that evolved from the strict-tempo dance-bands of the early 1950s. Until that point Irish music was dominated either by traditional music or the big-band orchestras and balladeers. When Irish teenagers started to hear the new rock n’ roll from the US and the UK, reflecting the changing tastes, the Irish Showband was born. They played upbeat rhythm and blues and pop music with one aim – to get people dancing.

A second wave of showbands arrived in the late sixties and early seventies playing a rock, blues and soul style these bands were more popular in Dublin and other urban areas, while in the rural areas bands more influenced by country and western were very popular.