Gene and The Gents
Encyclopedia
Gene and The Gents were an Irish showband
from Enniskillen
who achieved chart success with tracks including The way you wrinkle your nose and I came as a stranger and stayed as a friend as well as Puppet on a String. The band was founded in 1964 when four members of the Enniskillen based Skyrockets Paddy McDermott on tenor saxophone (born in 1940, in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland); Dermot Doherty on trombone (born in 1940 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland); Pete Watson on drums (born in 1938, in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland) and Henry McCullough on lead guitar (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, in Portstewart, County Armagh, Northern Ireland). The band was joined by Tony Gallagher on rhythm guitar (born in 1943 in Strabane, County tyrone, Northern Ireland) and Barry Scully on bass (born in 1944, in Dublin, County Dublin, Eire died 10 December 2007, of a heat attack).
The band advertised for a lead singer and found one in Gene Chetty (born Dushy Anthon Chetty, 2 January 1944, in Durban, South Africa), a Trinity College law student, who had come over in 1962 to study law. He auditioned for the group and got the job. The Gents made their debut on St Patrick's Night, 17 Mar 1964 at The County Hall in Monaghan, County Monaghan, Eire. McCullough left in 1966 and McDermott left in Earl 1968 and were replaced by Pete Cresswell on lead guitar and Mal Kearns on tenor saxophone, vocals (born Malachy Kearns). The band split in April 1968.
Irish showband
The Irish Showband was a dance band format which was popular in Ireland during the early rock and roll era from mid 1950s to the late 1970s. The showband was based on the internationally popular six or seven piece dance band. The band's basic repertoire included standard dance numbers and cover...
from Enniskillen
Enniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
who achieved chart success with tracks including The way you wrinkle your nose and I came as a stranger and stayed as a friend as well as Puppet on a String. The band was founded in 1964 when four members of the Enniskillen based Skyrockets Paddy McDermott on tenor saxophone (born in 1940, in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland); Dermot Doherty on trombone (born in 1940 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland); Pete Watson on drums (born in 1938, in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland) and Henry McCullough on lead guitar (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, in Portstewart, County Armagh, Northern Ireland). The band was joined by Tony Gallagher on rhythm guitar (born in 1943 in Strabane, County tyrone, Northern Ireland) and Barry Scully on bass (born in 1944, in Dublin, County Dublin, Eire died 10 December 2007, of a heat attack).
The band advertised for a lead singer and found one in Gene Chetty (born Dushy Anthon Chetty, 2 January 1944, in Durban, South Africa), a Trinity College law student, who had come over in 1962 to study law. He auditioned for the group and got the job. The Gents made their debut on St Patrick's Night, 17 Mar 1964 at The County Hall in Monaghan, County Monaghan, Eire. McCullough left in 1966 and McDermott left in Earl 1968 and were replaced by Pete Cresswell on lead guitar and Mal Kearns on tenor saxophone, vocals (born Malachy Kearns). The band split in April 1968.
Singles
| Year | Title | Label Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "Puppet On A String" / "Sweet Little Sixteen" | Emerald MD 1024 |
| 1967 | "The Way You Wrinkle Your Nose" / "I Came As A Stranger" | Emerald MD 1073 |
| 1969 | "C'mon Everybody" / "Hound Dog" | Target 7N 17532 |