Art Supple

Art Supple didn’t grow up with the ambition to be a professional singer. He was quite content to work on his father’s farm in the East Cork village of Gortroe, Art started life singing in the local village hall with a local talent group called The Barony Aces and as he grew a little older he started singing with a semi professional group led by local musician Pat Irwin. He might have continued to do this for a few more years but a new professional band called The Victors were starting. Acting on a tip from a local ballroom owner the Victors manager Terry Louge decided to ask Art to join as lead vocalist. Art & the Victors first hit single was a number called “Showbands on Parade” and it was the biggest selling single on the Irish Decca label Rex in 1965. It was a also year which saw Art voted in the top 10 Showband Singers of the Year, top ten personalities of the year and The Victors were listed as one of the top ten Favourite recording show bands in The New Spotlight Music Magazine.


Art and the band released over 20 singles many of them reaching the Irish Charts. The band toured everywhere. One of the most memorable venue’s the band played in was the Lough Locarno Ballroom in Toronto Canada. The Victors were the first ever Irish Showband to play Canada. They were asked to stay and do their own TV show in Canada with bookings guaranteed for a long time, but they had gigs at home in Ireland which had been booked two years before, so they came home and never returned to Canada.

When asked about his favourite venues and ballrooms at the time Art replied that Best Venues for him were Redbarn in Youghal, The Priemier in Thurles which also had the biggest crowds, City Centre in New York, The Buffalo in Camden Town London and of course the Lough Locarno Ballroom in Toronto, Canada. The ballrooms became the social gathering centers. The music scene in Ireland during the 60′s was a great social evolution in Ireland and has not been equaled since, If you think U2 playing a rooftop gig and bringing traffic to a standstill in America was something new think again in the mid 60′s The Victors played on the roof of the Savoy Center Patrick’s Street in Cork City during daytime rush hour, bringing the traffic to a standstill. In the late 70′s the Showband scene was drying up so the Victors moved to the Cabaret Scene on the continent and worked in Europe for a few years until 1974. Brendan Shine asked Art to join the Brendan Shine Superband Art agreed and for the next few years worked with Brendan touring. Then in the 70′s Art teamed up with fellow Corkman Joe Mac and Stage 2, working with Joe was great says Art, Joe is a fantastic musician and a great entertainer. It was an enjoyable experience working with Joe, he kept us going on many a long journey with his wit and storytelling. In the early 80′s the music scene was changing in Ireland and Stage 2 disbanded. Art then formed a group called The Showstoppers, who for most of the 80′s became one of the busiest and popular bands on the cabaret circuit. During this time Art was still recording new songs, doing television shows and touring.

Art has been an active member of the Jimmy Magee’s All-Star football team which has raised thousands for charity. Art played Senior hurling with Castlecomer in Kilkenny, Art also played hurling with his home club, St Itas in Gortroe, Youghal. Co Cork until his last game at 55 years young. In 1999 Art was elected to a seat on Cork County Council and for his term in office he worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of East Cork. In 2003 Art celebrated over 40 years in the Music business and was presented with an Award for his service to the music business at a Gala night in The Walter Raleigh Hotel in Youghal, many of his friends from the showband era were present Sean Dunphy, Joe Mac and many of the musicians who had worked with Art over the last four decades. Art still tours with his band and is as popular as ever with many people. One of the great things about this business, says Art. Couples come up to me at the end of a night and tell me that they first met each other at an Art Supple & the Victors dance many years ago. Its good to know that music brought so many happy couples together I have to say music has been good to me and I have enjoyed it. Catch Art and his band Sat night at the Two Mile Inn Midleton for a great night

Shane Supple interviews showband legend Art Supple Aug 2012 by Shane Supple on Mixcloud