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The Times

From: Mullingar

Active: 1967-1982

Style: Pop / Rock

Lineup ca 1977:

Bio:

Originally from Mullingar but probably based in Dublin, The Times were originally a showband formed by former members of Joe Dolan's Drifters showband. They were led by by Tommy Swarbrigg and his brother Jimmy, who he'd enticed back from London to join the new band. The Times were unusual by showband standards in so far as they wrote all their own material. They recorded a string of superior pop singles between 1968-74, many of which were hits in Ireland. The brothers split from the band circa 1977 following appearances in the Eurovision song contest in 1975 (as The Swarbriggs) and 1977 (as the Swarbriggs Plus Two). They continued as a duo, briefly changing their name to Winter in 1978.


The Times in the late 60s

The Times continued with new vocalist Benny White. They toned down the brass section, added in April 1980 a female vocalist named Maggie Maye, and continued to perform and record until 1982.

Of chief interest in this later period is the first of the singles recorded for the Crashed label. "S.S.Rocker" was the first Crashed release and is good post-glam rock/powerpop. Being on the same label as Sweet Savage and with a title like "S.S.Rocker" it's been offered by enterprising ebay sellers as NWOBHM but it's not like that. The follow-up "Rain" has been described as "very average powerpop"; the final two on Crashed are reputedly even less interesting.


The CBS single has also offered on ebay as powerpop but caveat emptor!



Discography

• What Made Milwaukee Famous / Follow The Times
7" - Target Records - 7N.17647 - IRL - November 1968


• Dozie / Keep On Running Mary Ann
7" - Dolphin Records - DOS 29 - IRL - April 1969
Raymond Froggatt cover.
Recorded at Eamonn Andrews Studios, produced by Peter Lee Stirling.
Reached #9 in the Irish Charts


• Hitchin' To Miami / Mad Dan The Rodeo Man
7" - Dolphin Records - DOS 46- IRL - November 1969
• Timepiece - Hitchin' To Miami / Mad Dan The Rodeo Man
7" - Dolphin Records - 4759 - UK - January 1970 - UK issue through CBS
Tommy Swarbrigg original.
Recorded at Eamonn Andrews Studios, produced by Peter Lee Stirling.
Reached #7 in the Irish Charts


• All I Want Is You / Saucy Susie
7" - Parlophone Records - DIP.515 - IRL - 1970


• Lookin Thru' The Eyes Of A Beautiful Girl / Flyin' High Feelin' Low
7" - Parlophone Records - R(1) 5855 - IRL - July 1970
7" - Parlophone Records - 5C 006-04561 - Netherlands - 1970 - PS?
Another Tommy Swarbrigg original, a brilliant pop song.
Reached #7 in the Irish Charts


• Isn't It Nice / Smile A Tender Smile
7" - Parlophone Records - DIP.519 - IRL - 1971
A-side by Tommy & Jimmy Swarbrigg.


• Looking Through The Eyes of The Times
LP - EMI Records - STAL (I) 1012 - IRL - 1971 - Music Of Ireland Series release.
• Tommy & Jimmy Swarbrigg And The Times - Passin' The Time Away
LP - MFP Records - MFP 50205 - IRL - 1976
Reissue under the Swarbriggs name in a new cover design.


• The Times & Friends - Freedom, Peace and Unity / The Times - If I Could Be With You
7" - Parlophone Records - DIP.522 - IRL - March 1972 - PS
Reached #12 in the Irish Charts
A-side by Tommy & Jimmy Swarbrigg.

Notes: AKA The Times Supersession. The friends involved are Derek Dean (Freshmen), Danny Doyle , Bobbie Kelly, Ray Lynam, Mitch Mahon , Jim McCann, Tony O'Leary, Donal Corvin and Brian Wynne.



• The Entertainer / Diamond Lil
7" - Parlophone Records - DIP.523 - IRL - September 1972
Reached #4 in the Irish Charts


• When I Look Around Me/Smile A Tender Smile
7" - Parlophone Records - R5956 - IRL - 1972


• It All Depends On You / I'm Gonna Get Married To Ann
7" - Parlophone Records - DIP.524 - IRL - April 1973
Reached #6 in the Irish Charts


• Julie's Rock'Roll / Keep Some Love For A Rainy Day
7" - EMI Records - EMD 4009 - IRL - November 1973
Reached #20 in the Irish Charts


• If Ma Could See Me Now / Hold On
7" - EMI Records - EMI 2178 - IRL - 1974
Reached #9 in the Irish Charts


• All I Ask Of You / Never Gonna Letcha
7" - EMI Records - IEMI 5006 - IRL - 1974


• All Our Own Work
LP - EMI Aran - ISLE 3009 - IRL - 1974


• Sexy Lady / Saturday Love
7" - Release Records - RL. 816 - IRL - June 1976
7" - CBS Records - S 4839 - Germany - 1976? - PS
Reached #17 in the Irish Charts


• Hold On / First Night Together
7" - Release Records - RL. 839 - IRL - September 1976
7" - Crystal Records - 006 CRY 99 143 - Germany - 1977 - PS
Reached #6 in the Irish Charts


• Man Overboard / Working Man
7" - Release Records - RL.870 - IRL - May 1977
7" - Aladin Records (EMI Electrola) - 1C 006-99 179 - Germany - 1977 - PS
Reached #11 in the Irish Charts


• Man Overboard / First Night Together
7" - Best Seller (IBC Records) - 4B 006-99 179 - Belgium - 1977 - PS
7" - Red Bus/Negram - NG 858 - NL - 1977 - PS


• Do Me Good / If It's Love You Want
7" - CBS Records - 5757 - IRL - 1977
A-side is a Yellowstone & Voice cover.


• Rockin' Times / Rock and Roll Physician
7" - Release Records - RL.915 - IRL - May 1978


• S.S. Rocker / Where In The World
7" - Crashed Records - CAR 1 - IRL - November 1978

   


• Rain / Maria
7" - Crashed Records - CAR 3 - August 1979
Reached #29 in the Irish Charts
A-side credited to Vinny Baker; B-side credited to the band.

   


• Benny White, Maggie May & The Times - Mad Man On The Loose / Rock And Roll To The Music
7" - Release Records - RL 1020 - IRL - 1980


• Maggie May & The Times - I'm Alive / Where In The World
7" - Crashed Records - CAR 16 - IRL - 1981

• Maggi Maye & The Times - My Boy Lollipop / One & Only Reason
7" - Crashed Records - CAR 18 - IRL - March 1982


Help!

We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.



See Also: The Swarbriggs / Winter


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