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During Ireland's swinging showbands era, the Miami Showband was one of Ireland's most popular entertainment and recording acts. By the mid-1970s, as Northern Ireland tore itself apart during the Troubles, the Miami Showband was the embodiment of hope, with a line-up of Catholic and Protestant musicians from both sides of the border. But that all changed in the early hours of 31 July 1975, when three members of the band were killed by UVF terrorists on their way home from a gig in Banbridge, in a horrific incident known as the Miami Showband massacre.
Tomorrow 31 July there are a series of commemorations in memory of Showband members Tony Geraghty, Brian McCoy and Fran O'Toole who were murdered that day.
One of the band members Des Lee who survived the massacre has published his story with help from journalist and author, Ken Murray.
'My Saxophone Saved My Life' tells the story of Lee, the man who alerted the world to the attack that left three of his bandmates dead and another with serious injuries.
The band members had been told to line up at the scene and Lee being concerned about his Saxophone had asked could he retrieve it from their minibus. On retrieving it he moved back into line but in a different place closer to the vehicle, and when a bomb which had been planted by the UVF gang exploded prematurely he was blown into undergrowth where he hid.
From humble beginnings in Belfast to playing in Carnegie Hall, Lee's memoir records the heady days of the ballroom era, the greed culture in the business, the horrific events of 31 July 1975, the decline of the showband industry, the psychological effects of the massacre, his emigration to South Africa and his drift into alcoholism. It also details the attempts by Des and fellow survivor Stephen Travers to uncover the truth about collusion in the attack on his band, in the face of constant resistance by a stubborn British state.
My Saxophone Saved My Life is a reminder that even though the Troubles are over, for Des and others they haven't ended at all.
Des McAlea is a native of Belfast and has been a professional musician all his adult life. He was a member of several showbands, including the Miami Showband between 1967 and 1976.
Ken Murray is an award-winning journalist and author, who was worked with Euronews and BBC NI, amongst others. He currently presents current affairs programme The Agenda on LMFM radio.
Commemorations 31 July 2025
12 noon Buskhill, Buskhill Road, Co.Down, BT34 1SD
1.30pm - Newry Town Hall
2.30pm - Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry
4pm – Dundalk – The site of the former Adelphi Ballroom
7pm – Parnell Square, Dublin (Miami Showband Monument)
