Huge Sales Lost on Unavailable Albums
If Thin Lizzy lost sales during last week because their album wasn't in the shops it's anybody's guess what last weekend's sales must have cost them. It's now two weeks since the first rock press advertisements promoting Vagabonds Of The Western World were published. The initial interest has now waned so much that there can be no doubt the delay has cost the band dearly. Lizzy's is just one of a dozen or so top rock albums which have been on release in Britain for weeks but still have to make an appearance in Irish shops. They include sets by Status Quo, Focus, Genesis, Leon Russell and Kris Kristofferson and wife Rita Coolidge.
Peggy's Leg will top the bill on their own Liberty hall concert on Wednesday week (24th). It will be the groups' only Dublin date before the release of their first album at the end of November. While recording the LP last week group leader Jimmy Slevin had his Les Paul guitar stolen from outside the studios. However, thanks to some fast work by the Gardai at Terenure, the instrument was recovered and returned to the group. So pleased were the boys that they have promised to send one of the first copies of the album to the lads at the Garda station.
Look in this Friday night at Talk About Pop on RTE and get yourself an eye-full of the best rock band in the land. Rodeo, our friends from the North, will be showing what good country-rock is all about. Not to be missed on any account.
Donnycarney Youth Club will hold a rock show on Sunday afternoon (28th) at the parish hall. Running for five hours it will feature Angel, Absent, Harvest, Research, Aton and Volcano. Buses 20, 20a, 42, 42a, 27, 27a, 27b. Admission is 60p (which seems a bit high to me) because Angel are the only band on the bill with anything big going for them.
The trouble with Gentry who were at Sgt. Peppers last Friday is that they are caught between two different scenes not only musically but with fans as well. Showband followers look upon them as a group and rock fans see them as a sort of semi-showband. It's a pity really because the new line-up plays very good rock. Cahir O' Doherty sounds as good as ever though he has lost some of his old punch. They seemmed to be enjoying themselves on Friday even on The Osmonds' " Going Home".
James Duggan, who has spent the summer running free and charity gigs for everyone's pleasure brought his peace party to Dublin's Sheriff Street on Sunday. A big crowd of locals and some outsiders were treated to some good sounds from The Trench Band with new singer Dave Murphy showing some signs of doing a good job. He's been knocking around for too long and it's about time he got a break. He deserves it.
Keltic Wine, currently doing well in the charts, may tour Europe early in the New Year. A Dutch agency Tzhumon have offered the boys dates in Germany and Holland. Manager John Dee said: " The success of the single has been a great boost to the group. Ballroom dates are heavier and things are looking great."
After parting with lead singer Pat Ward, Sheriff now appear to be having problems about the signing of new front man Bernard White. It seems he has changed his mind about joining.
Irish groups should pick up good ean-of-year sales with albums. Latest to join the LP league are Mushroom who are to release a first set shortly on their own label. (We've heard that story before somewhere!). November 23rd is the date for the second Horslips album " The Tain". Tours for the group have been line up in Germany, Holland and Belgium. Horslips are currently on an 18-date tour of England. Chips also hope to have their first album on Forever Records released before Christmas.
After spinning the Fruupp album I'm confident it has every chance of becoming a best seller. It must stand out as a major step forward for the group who, at this rate of progress, will become a huge name in a matter of months. "Future Legends" is my No. 1 choice as the Irish rock album of the year. It takes a bit of getting into but once you've heard it a few times you won't be able to stop playing it.
Tir na nOg's new album due out this weekend...why did Procol Harum pull out of Dublin date when they are playing almost every other major European city this month...Dave Prim Band came over well on RTE last Friday...Badly needed: more pub gigs like Gonzo's...spending too much time in the States is not doing Rory Gallagher's European popularity any good...what's stopping the Philip Donnelly band getting on the road...on the Thin Lizzy album the second side should be the top because it's so much better...again this week British rock press carried full-page ads for an Irish band - this time Fruupp...Skid Row in the Stadium on Oct. 31st with some good supporting acts and it could be a great night...Reform, with a hit single to their credit, breaking a lot of new ground...a lot of interest in the East Of Eden tour...didn't the story about Philip Lynott going deaf get a bit out of hand
- Pat Egan
Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 18th October 1973
01 - Ballroom Blitz - The Sweet
02 - For The Good Times - Perry Como
03 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir
04 - Ooh Baby - Gilbert O' Sullivan
05 - Eye Level - Simon Park Orchestra
06 - My Friend Stan - Slade
07 - Almost Persuaded - D.J & The Kerry Blues
08 - Borrow Angel - Ray Lynam
09 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine
10 - Shores Of Lough Bran - The Rocky Tops
11 - Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
12 - Light In The Window - Philomena Begley
13 - Laughing Gnome - David Bowie
14 - Love And The Country - Tommy Drennan
15 - The Dean & I - 10 CC
16 - Angie - The Rolling Stones
17 - Oh No, Not My Baby - Rod Stewart
18 - Rockin' The Baby - Hoot'nannys
19 - I'm Gonna Get You - Reform
20 - Angel Fingers - Wizzard








