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History
Irelands First Boy Band   1957 Con & Dec went to
O'Connell Schools in Dublin, where Dec joined the school Harmonica Band and
learned how to play, whilst Con joined the school choir. Con also learned to
play the harmonica at home, and having spent many hours at the fireside playing
together they formed a
harmonica group called 'The Harmonichords'. Under their new name they went on to play
on many shows around Dublin, honing their stagecraft skills. They also played
with the Radio Eireann Light Orchestra, and appeared in all the major theatres
in their home city of Dublin. During this time they appeared on Hughie
Green's 'Opportunity Knocks' on Radio Luxemburg having time off school to do so.
1959 Con & Dec played
in 'Fit Ups' (put together shows) all over Ireland and with the encouragement of
Karl Denver added singing and playing guitars to their
accomplishments. This meant they could now do two acts during a show - thus
earning more money!! All this whilst still at school...............
1960 They appeared on the 'Ed Sullivan TV Show' in America.
They also appeared in Ireland on a 25 week prime time radio series with Eamonn Andrews
called 'Odd Noises'. They thank Fred O'Donovan the producer of 'Odd Noises' who,
if anybody, started them on their career.
They learned about recording
techniques, both vocal and instrumental, primitive though they
were at that stage. ( The engineer used a tube off a vaccuum
cleaner to create a delay effect - you had to use ingenuity in
those days! ). Con & Dec were also taught the skills of
stage make-up, although what that had to do with appearing on
the radio was a mystery to them at the time. Later however it
came in very useful.
Their reputation grew, and they became household names throughout Ireland.
This resulted in them becoming so busy that they performed 37
shows in one week............ and they were still at school!!
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