Alan and Stage 2

Because of its heritage, Stage 2 is a band that holds a special place in the annals of Irish showband history, and Alan played an important role in Stage 2's popularity.

In 1972, Cork's Dixies Showband decided to go their separate ways. Band leader Sean Lucey continued to play as The Dixies, but with a group of new musicians from the Cork area. Joe and Brendan decided it was time for the "next stage" of their careers and Stage 2 was born. They recruited a group of talented Dublin musicians for the new band: Alan Cranny (lead guitar), Ernie Durkan (bass), Paul Duffy (keyboards), Dermot Ryan (sax and flute), Danny Ellis (trombone), and Mike Nolan (trumpet). Danny had been with the Airchords and would later play with the Nevada and Miami, while Ernie had been with the Cotton Mill Boys in the early 70's. However, as was typical with many bands, there were some personality conflicts and within a year the band had a major makeover. Alan James Carr form The Victors Showband came in on trumpet and vocals, Des Hickey was the new guitarist, Mike Shortt stepped in on bass, and Mike Dunne rounded out the new lineup on keyboards. Only Dermot Ryan, (along with Brendan and Joe) remained. This lineup would stay intact for most of the band's history.

Unlike most showbands of the era, Stage 2 traveled in two Ford Transit vans (most bands had only one); one for the gear and the roadies and the other for the band members driven by Eamon Travis. The band's road manager at the time was Ronnie McGinn from Cork who looked after the setup, sound and lighting. Originally managed by Cork millionaire Robin Power, the band found success where The Dixies had left off. As an aside, when Robin moved on, Ronnie (who had always had an interest in the business side of the band) took over managing the boys. Although they first tried a heavily brass sound (i.e., Chicago, Blood, Sweat, and Tears), the band soon found that a mix of pop and rock >n= roll material kept the fans on the floor and they drew crowds in their thousands from one end of the country to the other.

In 1973, the band recorded and released the song "Beautiful Sunday," which went to the top to the Irish charts. It had been a hit the previous year in the U.S. and Britain for Daniel Boone. Over the next few years, Stage 2 got lots of air play on the radio and some TV shows also.

"Sky Diver" was the band's next single, released in late 1974. However, the release of the single was overshadowed when Brendan O'Brien was electrocuted on stage at a charity gig in the Stardust Ballroom in Cork, which knocked him out of commission for many years. We understand that this very unfortunate accident still affects Brendan to this day.

It was late 1974 and Brendan was a guest at a charity function in Cork when he grabbed a "live" microphone while holding a guitar and was thrown ten feet across the stage. He suffered a severe electric shock and was lucky to survive. After the incident, Brendan was taken to the local hospital, examined and released. He even went back to play with the band for about a month or so. However, one night in Monaghan after a gig, he was having problems walking, so the band took him back to the hospital the next morning. Doctors discovered blood clots that had been missed the night of the accident. The clots were cutting off the blood supply to his legs, and Brendan was unable to play again for years. The legal case surrounding the accident went on for many years.

Following Brendan's accident, Alan James Carr was asked to step out front as lead vocalist and fortunately, the band was able to continue without really missing a beat. Within weeks, the band "introduced" Alan on their new single You've Grown Up, which was successful enough to help the band regain precious ground they may have lost with Brendan's departure.