For all of you nostalgia board posters, the death of Joe Dolan was announced this afternoon. He died in Mater Hospital, Dublin. In this house, Joe was a much loved entertainer. I even remember my late dad saying on numerous occasions, when he'd hear the "Greek Tent" Demis Roussos singing on the radio, "there's that fella trying to copy Joe Dolan, and he's not a patch on him"!And I must add that my father was more iclined to listen to John Mc Cormack, but he recognised in Joe a great musical talent.
Joe had music in him from the top of his head to the tip of his toes, he never missed a beat, his timinng was perfect and his showmanship supreme.
He brought joy and pleasure to many many folk in the dance halls, marquees (remember those....before my time), cararet venues thoughout Ireland. And he was one of the first Irish entertainers to get into the U.K. top 10 with "Make me an Island" in 1969, which went to No. 3.
He was idolised in Germany, Russia, South Africa and lots of other countries.
It's funny when you recall his early Irish hit records like "Tar and Cement", difficult to imagine a song title like that nowadays.
Thanks for the music and the memories Joe, may you rest in peace.