AT A GLANCE:
•Jim Harte was a big part of the showband scene in Ireland.
• He was the original singer with the Miami Showband.
• Jim now lives in Western Australia, where he DJs on Bunbury Radio.
• You can catch Jim live at The Music of The Irish Showbands concert in Fremantle this month.
Jim Harte, an iconic figure from the enchanting era of Irish showbands, is set to take music enthusiasts on a mesmerising journey back in time. Jim’s life has been steeped in the rhythms and melodies that defined an era.
Jim’s musical journey began at a very early age, setting the stage for his incredible career with some of the most renowned showbands in Ireland. One of his earliest gigs was as the lead singer with the famous Miami Showband, a band that left an indelible mark on the music scene during the 1960s and 1970s. Jim joined the Miami Showband in 1962, and soon they were hitting the big time.
Jim told The TaRP Podcast: “I was just started to study at uni and I had this great job with a big pension at Guinness. Joe Tyrell (Miami Showband pianist) came to me one day and said ‘we are going to go professional so you’ll have to pack up work and uni’.”
Jim discussed it with his parents and with the musicians union, they thought quitting his job and university for the band was not a good idea. Jim went back and told Joe Tyrell that he wasn’t going to stay.
“It really did affect me big time. But I just had this loyalty to my folks and that’s why I left. When I left they were shopping around, who was going to take over? And then Dickie (Rock) got the job.”
The Miami Showband went on to score seven number one records on the Irish singles chart.
However, the band’s story is not just one of musical success; it’s also marked by tragedy. In 1975, while returning from a performance in County Down, Northern Ireland, back to the Republic of Ireland, the band fell victim to a loyalist paramilitary attack. At a fake checkpoint, two gunmen attempted to hide a time bomb on the band’s minibus. The device exploded prematurely, killing the two gunmen.
The remaining gunmen then opened fire on the band members. Tragically, three members of the Miami Showband — Fran O’Toole, Tony Geraghty, and Brian McCoy — lost their lives.
Despite the devastating loss, the band reformed in 1976 but disbanded in 1982, later reforming again.
Jim Harte continued to make significant contributions to the world of music. He was the lead singer in Arrans Showband and Johnny Flynn Showband and achieved numerous top 10 hits in Ireland.
Today, Jim lives in Western Australia. On November 18th, music enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to experience Jim performing showband hits live at the Fremantle Workers Club.
The event will be a tribute to an era when dance halls and ballrooms were the epicentres of entertainment in Ireland and the UK. The Irish showband era remains a testament to unbridled musical innovation and a time when legendary performers like Brendan Bowyer and Joe Dolan took centre stage, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.
So, prepare to immerse yourself in the songs that have defined generations and relive the magic of the Irish showband era.
Whether you choose to sit back and relax or dance the night away, this event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of a bygone musical legacy. Jim Harte and Irish DJ Oliver McNerney will transport you back in time.
As well as music, there will be Irish food available. From beef and Guinness pie to pork and leek sausage, and McDonnells Irish vegetable curry, you’re in for a treat.
It’s all happening at Fremantle Workers Club, 36 Ellen Street, Fremantle, on Saturday, 18th November from 7.30pm.
You can also catch Jim Harte presenting All that Jazz on Bunbury Radio, every Sunday from 4pm.
Anglo&Celtic 