Red Hurley

Infobox musical artist
Name = Red Hurley
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Brian Hurley
Born =
Occupation = Vocalist
Genre = Easy listening, country
Years_active = 1969–present
Title_reigns =

Brian 'Red' Hurley is an entertainer from Ireland whose singing career has spanned several decades. He is principally known as a solo artist, although he does perform with various bands, the members of which are prone to change.

Personal life

Hurley grew up in Milltown, Dublin with five brothers and two sisters. (His sister Olive is a world renowned Irish Dance teacher). His father spent some time as a professional musician but later worked for Dublin Corporation. His brother Fran is his manager.

Early career

Hurley started his career in 1969 as lead vocalist with "The Colours". In 1970, he went on to form his first band, "Wheels", which also featured his brother Liam who was also a member of the "Airchords". Hurley released several singles during this period with "Wheels" including Isadora and Take Me Tonight, both these singles made it into the Irish charts.

Big Break

In early 1971, his brother Liam left the "Airchords" to join "The Nevada Showband". A few months later, when Roly Daniels left "The Nevada Showband", Liam suggested his brother as a replacement. It was through "The Nevada Showband" that Red Hurley became a household name.

Hurley was selected to sing one of the entries in the Irish National Song Contest in 1976, this further helped to establish him as one of the country's well known vocalists. He enjoyed continued success with "The Nevada Showband" until he left in 1974 to form his own "Red Hurley Band."

Eurovision Song Contest

In 1976 Hurley was chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest [ [http://www.eurovision-contest.com/1976/ Eurovision 1976 The Hague Netherlands ] ] . He finished tenth (The contest was won by Britain's Brotherhood of Man with their song, Save Your Kisses for Me).

End of an era

Towards the end of the 1970s the music circuit underwent a change and showbands increasingly resorted to touring abroad where they could still pack an event. He kept his career going throughout the 1980s and 1990's albeit at a lower profile.

Today

After nearly 40 years on the scene he still plays gigs both at home and abroad. Hurley lives part of the year in Florida, having obtained a green card in 1997 [ [http://www.celticcafe.com/celticcafe/Music/Artists/RedHurley/01_RedHurley.html Red Hurley - Interview With One of Ireland's Most Talented Singers ] ] . His latest album 'I will sing' was released in the UK on the 15th Jan 2007.

Irish chart positions [ [http://www.irishcharts.ie/ The Irish Charts - All there is to know ] ]

Band Singles:

A Poor Man's Roses / I Didn't Even Know (with The Colours) - #14 Irish ChartsTarget Records - 7N.17771 - June, 1969

Isadora / Amigos (with the Wheels) - #14 Irish ChartsTarget Records - May, 1970

Take Me Tonight / Let's Get Started (with the Wheels) - #20 Irish ChartsTarget Records - 7N.17982 - September, 1970

Going Away (with the Nevada)Play Records - March, 1971

Sometimes / I'll Be Home (with the Nevada) - #1 Irish ChartsPlay Records - PLAY 03 - July, 1971

Kiss Me Goodbye / Bring Back The Good Times (with the Nevada) - #1 Irish ChartsPlay Records - PLAY 06 - Oct, 1971

Hold Me / Trudy (with the Nevada) - #3 Irish ChartsPlay Records - PLAY 19 - April, 1972

Arkansas / Hold Me Just One More Time (with the Nevada) - #2 Irish ChartsPlay Records - PLAY 53 - Feb, 1973

I Never Said Goodbye / I’d Like To Teach You (with the Nevada) - #5 Irish ChartsPlay Records - PLAY 63 - August, 1973

Solo Singles:

I Know - #5 Irish ChartsRelease Records - RL 741 - 1974

Love Is All - #1 Irish ChartsRelease Records - RL 766 - 1975

Broken Promises - #1 Irish ChartsRelease Records - January, 1976

When - Irish Eurovision Entry for 1976 - #4 Irish ChartsPYE Records - 7N.45583 - March, 1976

Tennessee Special / Morea - #3 Irish ChartsEMI/Red Bus Records - EMI 2527 - September, 1976

In Shame Love, In Shame - #3 Irish ChartsRelease Records - February, 1977

You're My Day, You're My Night / Morena - #2 Irish ChartsRelease Records - RL.878 - July, 1977

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - #5 Irish ChartsRelease Records - May, 1978

You're So Good To Me / Steppin' Aside - #9 Irish ChartsSpider Records - February, 1979

The Furey Man - #6 Irish ChartsSpider Records - November, 1979

I Want To Live With You / Perfect Love - #29 Irish ChartsSpider Records - WEB 036 - January, 1981

Hey / Cut Across Shorty - #15 Irish ChartsCrashed Records - CAR 38 - February, 1983

Danny - #15 Irish ChartsCrashed Records - CAR - September, 1983

I Believe I'm Going To Love You - #21 Irish ChartsDolphin Records - DOS - June, 1985

Let The Heartaches Begin - #20 Irish ChartsDolphin Records - DOS - June, 1987

For Always - #19 Irish ChartsDolphin Records - DOS - April, 1989

We were in Love - #27 Irish ChartsEnsign records - Sept, 2006

References

External links

* [http://www.redhurley.com/home.asp The Official Red Hurley Website]
* [http://www.irish-showbands.com/Bands/redhurley.htm Irish Showbands - Red Hurley]