Month: April 2022

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Ian . The ultimate cool dude .

Hi Ian
Maxi here. We’ve known each other since the days of Maxi Dick and Twink, Sheeba and indeed meeting at receptions and the supermarket.
Our most famous outing was when you directed the Eurovision in Dublin in 1981. I was with Sheeba and you were the boss- boss -boss, with Carolyn Fisher as your right-hand lady. What a great adventure that was.
There followed many happy appearances on light entertainment programmes and you continued to excel at everything you did. Often when I was driving into the complex on my way to present Rising Time at the break of dawn, I’d see you going into the building too, to prepare for another busy day. I learned a lot from your example.
I remember watching you carefully. Somewhere in my mind, I had a plan to develop my broadcasting skills, and you were the man to watch. You were meticulous, fully prepared at all times, and so gentle with the performers and crew. When there was an emergency your calmness and professionalism always won the day.
Thank you for your friendship, your example and the joy of your presence in my life.
God Bless you and your family.

Maxi

  • Maxi
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Proud to have been his PA!

Jane and family, I am so sorry to hear the sad news that Ian is unwell. I have so many good memories of working with him in Light Entertainment – particularly on the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. He was unique in that he had been both a musician (great drummer, taught me a few basic fills!) and also a cameraman, so his ability as a studio director was second to none. He was a quiet perfectionist and extraordinarily hard-working, but a great team leader and you wanted to be the best help to him, particularly during the extreme stress of live productions which you knew were being seen around the world! I hope he knows how many friends and former colleagues are thinking of him with fond memories and great affection and wishing him well at this time

  • Carolyn Fisher
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Criminal minds

Some years ago I had the pleasure to meet you whilst ‘working’ on Crimecall. Unlike you, I wasn’t a TV professional and found the whole live TV thing somewhat intimidating. You were extremely generous with your time and advices. We mostly chatted music though, because that was better fun. I really enjoyed our chats and I recall those times very fondly. There was much talk of drumming 🙂 I’m grateful for your easy company and kindness.
I’ve seen the unfair and frustrating effects of aphasia up close and I’m sorry you’re having to go through it.
It’s terrible, but communication is so much more than words and I know that it doesn’t affect who you are.
I’m wishing you and your loved ones strength right now.
Keith White (Garda)

  • Keith
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First ompression

I met Ian while he was with Action and while i was starting out in the business I was in awh of his drumming and such a nice guy met and talked many times after that ! Lost contact until 1997 I was involved in the tops final in cork , snook a peek into control unit outside and low and behold who was producing was himself and he even remembered my name a true gent and proud to know you

  • Greg Donaghy
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Special Times To Treasure

I have many happy memories of holidays in Chatel with you both, Ian and Jane. In McGarry Ski System days with trips to the hot springs at the end of the day and, later for Les Arcs Girls reunions it was walks up the mountains and drinks on the balcony looking at the glorious alpine views. Special times to treasure.

Jane and Ian you are wonderful, generous hosts welcoming everyone from around the world. It’s great fun sitting around your table where there’s always delicious food, wine and laughter. Ian, you make your guests feel at home in Dublin and Chatel with your thoughtful, kind presence, twinkling eyes, chuckles and wise words in a lovely, soft Irish accent.

Ian – Peter and I visited Dublin years ago and went to a show you were filming. Peter was in awe of your talents as you calmly, professionally and effortlessly directed a bank of cameras through the performance. A lovely memory to have.

Love and hugs to you all.

  • Janet Binney
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RHYTHM & BLUES CLUB

Hi Ian,

So sorry to hear that you are not well.
I have many great memories of your time with Bluesville {and The Alpine Six and The Action}. Myself and 2 pals Viv Kennedy & Trevor Murray ran the R&B Club at Longford Lawn Tennis Club, Monkstown, back in the Sixties, as well as promoting concerts in and around Dublin.
In 1963, we put on an R&B show at St Anthony’s Little Theatre and this was Bluesville’s first public appearance. Deke & Mick were in the audience and as Bluesville was tearing up the place, Deke said to me, “That’s the kind of band I want to be in”. The Rhythm section was from The Crickets showband with which Barry Richardson played. Around this time Deke invited me to come and see The Alpine Seven who were playing in a hall on the South Circular Rd. A couple of weeks later, Mick & Deke had talked their way into Bluesville, bringing you and the Bass player from The Alpine Seven.
From then on in, we booked Bluesville for several shows, at Longford LTC, The Crystal Ballroom and The Marian Hall in Milltown. I recall Bluesville playing one Sunday night At Longford LTC, having spent several hours recording in the Eamonn Andrews studio in Abbey Street with Jerry Dennon from the American label Jerden Records. ‘You turn Me On’ which you, Mick, Deke and the others including Ian of course recorded at that time, became a top ten hit in the USA.

Eventually Barry Richardson, finished his studies at Trinity, Ian Whitcomb left for the States to promote his career which was launched big-time by ‘You Turn Me On’ now on Tower Records and you and Peter Adler formed a new band The Action, which played for us at least once at the R&B Club at LTC. I remember your drumming which was very precise & professional, but still maintained a great feel. Was the Alpine Seven your band?

  • TED CARROLL
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My good pal Ian

Well, where to start. I first met Ian on a BASI course and because I then went to live in Dublin during the Summer for a few years, I became familiar with his RTE work. I used to meet Ian for lunch at the RTE canteen quite regularly. As you can imaging the main topic of conversation was skiing. One day I turned up to meet him for lunch and was told that he was in the RTE Radio recording studios. I toddled over there just in time to meet Ian coming out of one of the studios with a musician. He introduced me to Don McLean. To this day, whenever a Don McLean song comes on the radio, I tell everybody that it’s “my mate Don” singing. Then along came Jane and very shortly afterwards, Tamsin & Kirsty. Ian and I worked as trainers on many BASI courses, sometimes assessing together. Whether it was in Scotland, France or Austria, Ian’s morning greeting was always the same “Top of the morning to you” (to be honest, before I heard Ian say it, I thought it was a bit of Irish folklore). On one course in Scotland many moons ago, Ian asked me if I’d “ever seen one of these”? He had an original Sony Walkman and I don’t think anybody on the course had ever seen one. It was huge by todays technological standards. Anyway, to finish, I would just like to say that, you would be hard pushed to find a nicer, kinder gentleman than Ian. Sláinte.

  • Martin Rowe
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The greatest drummer

Ian….I remember you and Peter Adaler when you both played in Bluesville. Might remember Maureen . Peter Do you remember the man I think he owned Sella House….his name was Davy Whitron he was a racing driver ,he came over from England & he lived in the corner house oppisite The Stella…If anyone needed anything for a gig would ” get a note”from Mr.Whitron.
The last time I spone to you Ian was in Jurys hotel in Ballsbridge you said to me anyone who didnt grow up with 60’s music were missing out.
My name is monica and i used to cut Colm Wilkinsons fringe in the No.5 club in Harcout Street . I have many happy memories as Know you have of the 60’s as I kbow you have, they were special times.
Also the spotlight magazine on the thrid floor of building in Grafton Street. Also I remember our Monday nights in the Television Club. Free passes aquired! . ❤🥁

  • Monica Mc Nally/Teeling