“Regulars in mid 60s at Parkstone, Police Ballroom, Orchid Ballroom, Sky Blue Club, St. Georges Hall, Hinckley opening for many local and top visiting bands. Had permission to use ANYBODYS amplifiers and drums. In fact it was an honour if they chose yours Average age 13yrs!”

Kevin Dempsey (whose father was band leader Frank Dempsey ( see New City Sounds – winners of Opportunity Knocks) was an integral part of celebrated Coventry acid folk band Dando Shaft between 1969 and 1971 recording for both Youngblood and RCA Neon.

Kevin’s bands include – (from Kevin Dempsey website http://www.kevindempsey.co.uk/)

Soul Express – Soulband of the sixties. Dando Shaft – The first truly unplugged band.

Anand Band – Indian rock.  Alice Coltraine – Spiritual Jazz. Blue Aquarius – Big band.

Los Bohemios – Latin American dance. Pzazz – Jazz Funk. Percy Sledge – Soul

The Marvelettes – Motown Whippersnapper – acoustic folk. Mary Black – Mary Black

Uiscedwr – Global folk  Tanna  Lazarus– acoustic folk  Kevin Dempsey and with Joe Broughton

Kevin Dempsey’s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Dempsey

Upon returning to the UK, Dempsey went on to perform with a variety of acts including, notably, Swarb’s Lazarus and Whippersnapper (band) with Dave Swarbrick, and Uiscedwr (2005-2007).

He also worked with Denim (band), accordion player Karen Tweed, Cincinnati-based Rosie Carson  and Peter Knight (folk musician).[

Other artists Kevin has played with include Percy Sledge, The Marvellettes, Mary Black (accompanying her on a 2004 US tour) and from 2018, Jacqui McShee.

In 2020, McShee and Dempsey released From There To Here via their own McDem Records which gave “them both a chance to explore and record more traditional folk songs and share writing ventures.”

Well travelled, Dempsey has performed across the UK, Europe, Ireland, US and in 2013, made his first appearance in Australia, appearing at Folkworld Fairbridge Festival.

Kevin has released one solo album, 1987’s The Cry Of Love.”