PAT GISSANE SHOWBAND
“The Irish are, of course, great club-goers and this no doubt explains the success of the Pat Gissane Showband (3rd in the poll with 833 votes). Ironically enough, however, only 3 of the 8-piece outfit are Irish. They work more in London, perhaps, than they do in Coventry itself and have a big following in both.” From Coventry Express, Friday May 28th 1965 Citybeat by Paul Connew via Tim James site.
From Pete Chambers – Godiva Rocks
“Bob Brolly’s Calvery – largely an M & B covers band – included in its ranks trumpet maestro John Gissane, son of the now sadly departed Pat Gissane of another quality club act in the Irish Showband style- The Pat Gissane Showband – who always wore purple suits for some reason.”
And from Cov Telegraph 2000
” …..played with some of the biggest names in show business. The Pat Gissane Showband, founded by virtuoso accordionist, Patrick Gissane, came to the fore in the 1950s when Bill Haley was topping the charts. It performed alongside top Irish artists and stars of stage and television such as Val Doonican, Dickie Valentine, Bob Monkhouse, Des O’Connor, Herman and the Hermits and Freddie and the Dreamers.
The band’s roots were in Ireland, in the family home at Killaloe, where Patrick Gissane founded The Shannon Dance Band. His daughter, Eileen, eldest of a family of eight, recalled it was always a family affair.
“Grandad, Denis Gissane, would play the drums in the early days; Aunt Bridie played the piano accordion, Sean Moran and dad were on button accordions and Aunt Nan was vocalist,” she said.
“When the band started in Ireland all those years ago the dance halls were mostly lit by gas lamps; so they had to link up the equipment to the battery from their car.
“The Shannon Dance Band played the public halls all over County Clare – its home town Killaloe, Bridgetown, Broadford, Portroe and Ballina.
“They always started and ended with one of the world’s great standards, Glenn Miller’s signature tune, In The Mood.”
Patrick Gissane was the eldest son in a family of seven, and he started accordion playing after a second hand accordion was given to him by his father. By the time he arrived in Coventry at the age of 19 he was already a versatile player.
“It wasn’t long before his brother, also named Denis, joined him from Ireland,” said Eileen. And his new band was now complete and ready to play at local halls in Coventry – the Drill Hall, St Mary’s Club in Ford Street and Westfield House.
“He also teamed up with his younger brother Sean to play at the many Irish feis competitions, rather like eisteddfods, and between them they won lots of trophies and medals.
“But by now the era of rock ‘n’ roll had arrived and they would pile all the equipment into John Sherry’s Morris Oxford (he’s now entertainment secretary at St Finbarr’s); Bridie McCabe, the band’s pianist, would bless the lads with holy water, and off they’d go.”
By 1959 the band had become an extended family with Geoff Baker on lead guitar and well-known vocalist, Patsy Powell. The ten-piece showband soon developed a taste for the dress of the period. They became very trendy and up-to-date – Beatle jackets, cream suits, purple suits, black and white shoes. They even used ultra-violet light.
Lead guitarist Geoff recalled one of the highlights at the time was appearing with The Bachelors when they were topping the charts with Diane. His most memorable moment was the night the band played with guitar idol Duane Eddy.
“Next in line to join the band was my brother John, who had started playing the trumpet when he was a young lad, and he took to the stage with dad,” recalled Eileen.
“He played alongside two very good trumpeters, John Everitt and John Baker.
“I’m sure many followers will remember his rendition of Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White, El Silenzio and Eddie Calvert’s number one hit, Oh Mein Papa.”
By now the Patrick Gissane Showband was playing regularly at Coventry’s Bamba Club alongside top Irish artists like Dana, Joe Dolan, Dickie Rock, The Dixielanders and Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband. They also had bookings at American air bases, Upper Heyford, Mildenhall, Chicksands and Greenham Common. In 1982 Pat’s youngest son, Richard, played with the showband for the first time when he was just 13. “Dad started me playing a few numbers each night and I joined the band full-time two years later,” he said.
“We were resident at St Finbarrs for 13 years, and the other regular work continued with gigs at Tile Hill Social Club, Bell Green, Coventry Railway-men’s Club and many other halls. “But a few years ago dad finally gave up regular performances and I took over as manager.”
Patrick Gissane, the softly-spoken accordion legend from County Clare finally decided to retire after half a century of entertaining, But happily his sons carry on the family tradition of making music.”
Barry Meek “He joined the PAT GISSANE IRISH SHOW BAND which toured the UK and Europe in the 1970′ 1980’s. Formerly with Carol and the Electrons and later JC Sounds and later – Paul Leegan and the Legends.” From Pete Chambers Pop in to Past.
Tom Lane was a drummer for Pat Gissane – having played with Jason and the Canaenites, The Fireflies, The BlueBeats, The Stringbeats, Tuxedo Junction and now The Leicester Acemen.
