Eire Apparent
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, North America, Europe |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Eire Apparent emerged from Northern Ireland and are recognized for kickstarting the careers of Henry McCullough and Ernie Graham, as well as for having their only album produced and featuring performances by Jimi Hendrix.
Tony and The Telstars
The origins of the group lie in the early 1960s Belfast ensemble Tony & The Telstars, which included lead guitarist Rod Demick, drummer Davy Lutton, vocalist and guitarist George O'Hara, alongside bassist Chris Stewart. In 1965, Demick departed to join The Wheels, while Stewart moved on to the Germany-based Irish band The Stellas. Their spots were filled by guitarist David "Tiger" Taylor, bassist Mike Niblett (also from The Stellas), and rhythm guitarist with backing vocals, Ernie Graham.
The People
Towards the end of 1965, Lutton, O'Hara, Niblett, and Graham established a pop group named The People, incorporating former Them keyboardist Eric Wrixon. They contributed two tracks to the 1966 compilation Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups From Belfast's Maritime Club. By mid-1966, Wrixon announced the band's relocation to England due to dissatisfaction with Belfast’s music scene. Soon after, Wrixon joined The Wheels; meanwhile, Niblett and Stewart returned to their earlier bands. Guitarist Henry McCullough, hailing from Portstewart, joined in early 1967, aiding the band in gaining recognition in Blackpool and briefly in Dublin.
Eire Apparent
In 1967, the band moved to London where they were signed by former Animal managers Chas Chandler and Mike Jeffery. To emphasize their Irish heritage, the managers renamed them 'Eire Apparent'.
They briefly signed with Track Records, which also managed Chandler and Jeffery’s protégé Jimi Hendrix, releasing a single titled "Follow Me" / "Here I Go Again" in January 1968 before departing from the label. Despite limited releases, Chandler and Jeffery arranged a North American tour for them alongside The Animals in early 1968. During this tour in Vancouver, guitarist McCullough was arrested for marijuana possession and deported back to Ireland; Mick Cox stepped in as his replacement.
The updated lineup toured North America with the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Soft Machine, recording sessions at New York’s Record Plant in May 1968 that likely resulted in their subsequent single "Let Me Stay" / "Yes I Need Someone." Their album Sunrise was primarily recorded in Los Angeles during October 1968 with Hendrix acting as producer and contributing musician. Hendrix played on multiple tracks, supported by contributions from Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell, and Robert Wyatt. This album was released by Buddah Records in both the US and UK in May 1969.
In November 1968, Cox was replaced by guitarist David "Tiger" Taylor, who had co-written the single "Rock 'N' Roll Band" with The People featuring Hendrix. This formation toured Europe alongside Hendrix and recorded their only Peel Session in April 1969. During this period, guitarists Peter Tolson (later associated with Pretty Things) and Steve Jolly (formerly of Sam Apple Pie) also joined.
Although reports surfaced in May 1969 about a second album being produced by Soft Machine drummer Robert Wyatt, it never saw release. The band dissolved quietly in May 1970.
Subsequent careers
- Ernie Graham issued a solo record in 1971, briefly became a member of Help Yourself in 1972, and was a founding member of the pub rock group Clancy. He eventually departed from the professional music scene, pursued work on the railways, and trained as a counsellor before passing away in 2001.
- Davy Lutton performed with Heavy Jelly in 1970, joined Ellis between 1972 and 1973, played with T. Rex from 1974 to 1976, and contributed to Chris Spedding's 1979 album Guitar Graffiti.
- Chris Stewart established himself as a notable bassist, collaborating with Frankie Miller from 1975 to 1978, and working alongside artists such as Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance, Spooky Tooth, Joe Cocker, Jim Capaldi, Eric Burdon, Graham Bonnet, and Terry Reid. He died in 2020.
- Henry McCullough initially joined Sweeney's Men, then served as lead guitarist for The Grease Band. Between 1971 and 1973, he was part of Paul McCartney and Wings, later collaborating with Frankie Miller and releasing several solo projects. He passed away in 2016.
- Mick Cox created the band Magnet (active from 1969 to 1971), which released singles from their Sunrise album. In 1973, he formed another group featuring Chris Stewart that produced one album under Capitol Records. Cox also contributed to Van Morrison's Common One released in 1983 and was responsible for issuing a Hendrix jam session under the title Woke Up This Morning and Found Myself Dead.
- David "Tiger" Taylor founded Anno Domini, recording an album prior to joining The Freshmen.
- Peter Tolson was a member of the Pretty Things from 1970 until 1976; he died in 2016.
- Steve Jolly became part of the band Freedom, alongside former Procol Harum drummer Bobby Harrison, Pete Dennis, and Roger Saunders.
Discography
- "I'm With You" / "Well... All Right" (released under 'The People') – included on Ireland's Greatest Sounds (Ember Records LP, February 1966)
- "Follow Me" / "Here I Go Again" (single on Track Records, January 1968)
- "Yes I Need Someone" / "Let Me Stay" (single issued by Buddah Records, approximately September 1968)
- "Rock 'N' Roll Band" / "Yes I Need Someone" (Buddah Records single, March 1969; UK release April 1969; reissued March 1972)
- Sunrise (LP on Buddah Records, May 1969; UK release)
- Live versions of "The Price of Love," "Highway 61," "Blues," and "Gloria" are featured on the bootleg Liederhalle Stuttgart 19 January, 1969 1st Show by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, where Eire Apparent performed as support.
- Recordings from BBC Top Gear sessions in April 1969 of "Gloria" and "Yes, I Need Someone" appear on an unofficial Pretty Things CD titled The Forgotten Beebs, reportedly including Pretty Things guitarist Peter Tolson; additionally, "Highway 61 Revisited" was recorded during this session.
Further reading
- Pete Frame's publication Rock Family Trees