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Bio:
Following the break up of Granny's Intentions in 1972, Johnny Duhan
teamed up with guitarist
Ed Deane and played the folk circuit for a few years as Brogue who were unrecorded.
In the mid-70s he joined St.James Gate, named after the
location of the Guinness brewery in Dublin. This was a UK-based band with Irish connections being formed
by Ruan O'Lochlainn, who'd just left Bees Make Honey, along with drummer
Bob Benburg who was also playing in Supertramp.
St.James Gate rehearsed for some time and completed several recordings at Rockfield. Apparently an album
was more-or-less completed, but it was never released as the band split up before any record deal could be finalised .
Duhan had pulled out by then, re-thinking the commitment
when it came time to sign the record company contract. The St.James Gate recordings have yet to see the light of day.
He was then approached by Italian-American independent producer Steve Verocca (Link Wray, Kevin Coyne, The Bintangs),
who recognised Duhan's songwriting talents. Duhan made demo recordings for an LP for Verocca who then hawked the demos
around various record companies, eventually working out a deal with Dark Horse Records. The plan was that Duhan would
record the LP in Los Angeles. However, Duhan turned
down the five year production deal Verocca offered him as it gave Verocca 50% of all earnings!
All attempts at renegotiation failed and the whole deal fell through.
Duhan never got the demo
taoes back.
These are presumably still in Verocca's possession.
Duhan continued to record demos which he sent to various record companies. R.S.O. Records
brought him over to London in 1978 to record some demos but ultimately he agreed a deal with Arista Records.
He acquired a new manager with whom he shared a flat in Hampstead and went into the studio
with producer Paul Samwell Smith. However, the recording process proved difficult, as he and Samwell Smith did not
see eye to eye, and his manager's rock & roll lifestyle did not appeal.
The LP was
completed and a single released as a taster for the album, but then Arista was taken over by Ariola
and the LP was cancelled, Duhan was dropped by the new regime,
furthering his disillusionment with the rock'n'roll fantasy world. He wrote an
unpublished novel called 'The Long Enduring' based on these experiences.
One positive outcome of the Arista fiasco was Duhan was able to afford a house in Galway, where
he settled with his family.
In 1981 his new manager Terry O'Neill secured a deal with Philips Records in Ireland for the release
of the cancelled Arista LP. He began to perform live again for the first time since 1974, opening
for Scullion in Galway, Steve Miller Band in Dublin and appearing at the Lisdoonvarna Festival. He
was also involved in the Grannie's reunion gigs in 1983.
A gloomy period is documented on the Current Affairs LP (1984).
There was a four year gap before the acclaimed Reefer And The Model
soundtrack in 1988.
His career revitalised, Duhan continued to record and perform for the rest of the decade and beyond.
He has released a number of albums on his own Bell label via Claddagh Records.
Notes:
This UK 45 is undoubtedly Duhan's rarest. The label states the
track is Taken from the Album "Johnny Duhan" SPART 1120, but this release was cancelled.
Notes:
The Arista release was shelved, possibly the result of a change of managment at the label.
The Polygram PR sheet for the albums says.."Johnny Duhan's first album is a mixture of
songs he wrote between the breakup of Granny's Intentions in 1972 and 1980 when the
album was recorded. The album was produced by two of the best producers in the
business, Paul Samwell-Smith and Alun Davies... Kevin McAlea who tours with Kate
Bush and Barclay James Harvest plays keyboards and the other musicians include
Gerry Rafferty's bass player Gary Taylor and Irish guitarists Ed Deane and
Gary Moore. Born in Limerick and now living in Galway Johnny will be best remembered
as the dynamic lead singer with Granny's Intentions. Lately Johnny has started doing
some live gigs. When Scullion got back together recently it was Johnny who played
at their two sell-out gigs in Galway. A superb electric set at Lisdoonvarna meant an
immediate invitation to play at Steve Miller's sell out concert at the stadium in July.
More recently a variety of artists are showing an interest in Johnny's skill and
versatility as a songwriter".
Gary Moore appears on one track ("Ocean of Motion"), while Robbie Brennan
plays drums.
Notes:
Recorded at Lombard Sound. A Plastic Record Production.
Produced by Donal Lunny, Andrew Boland & Johnny Duhan.
A double A-side: "It Can Happen To You" is marked as the AA-side, and "El Salvador" as the A-side, which makes it the B-side. Clear?
Notes
The backing band on this single was the guts of Moving Hearts -
Donal Lunny (keyboards), Eoghan O'Neill (bass), Keith Donald (sax) and Matt Kelleghan (drums) - plus guitarist
Greg Boland (Supply Demand & Curve, Scullion),
keyboard player Andrew Boland and drummer Robbie Brennan, who'd just left Auto Da Fe.
Recorded at Lombard Studios, Dublin. Produced by Donal Lunny and Johnny Duhan.
The labels say Auric Records Ltd, licensed to Polygram Records (Ireland) Ltd.
Notes:
The white label pre-release edition was given to journalists and some copies were reputedly available at the
film premiere at the Savoy Cinema in Dublin on 4 August 1988, which was a benefit in aid of Film Base. This
edition consists of a WLTP (German pressed) housed in a generic white cover with a front cover slick paste-on
which reproduces
the flyer for the Film Base benefit and includes a track listing.
Music by Johnny Duhan performed by Dolores Keane (vocals), Davy Spillane (whistles),
Tony Maher (keyboards, accordion), Frank Colohan (guitar), Brendan O'Regan (bouzouki, banjo),
Gerald O'Donoghue (bass, percussion) and Noel O'Brien (bodhran). Music co-ordinator Peter Harkin.
Notes:
Both tracks rom the "Reefer and The Model" soundtrack
Notes:
"Family Album was one of my most successful collections.
The good songs on it were covered by Dolores Keane, Mary Black, Francy
Conway and of course Christy [Moore], but the overall album was deeply
flawed. In my eagernesss to offset the sombre tone of some of the
darket songs, I came up with a series of pastiche numbers that had
a bright but false ring. When the rights to the album reverted to me
I decided I couldn't re-release it without getting rid of the dud songs.
I believe the five new songs are the real thing"--Johnny Duhan in 2005,
speaking about the repackaging of Family Album as The Voyage.
Credits:
Tony Maher - keyboards
Frankie Colohan - Spanish and acoustic guitars
Billy Robinson - bass
Mike Arrigan (of The Fuze) - drums
Roy O'Connor - tuba
Morris Maguire - fiddle
Carl Hession - string arrangements
Produced by Johnny Duhan. Engineered by Gerald O'Donoghue at
Greenfield Studios, Headford Co.Galway.
Notes: With Frankie Colohan (guitar), Tony Maher (keyboards), James Blennerhassett (bass), Mickey Belton (drums), plus guests.
Help!: We need your help to complete this entry. If you can tell us more about this band then please do! We welcome any corrections, missing details, connections to other bands, where are they now, etc. We also need photos, scans, copies of releases or live or demo recordings, and any other memorabilia gathering dust in the attic. If you can help, then please get in touch.