than just their sound, a stunt was planned by Duhan and Harren which would earn the group instant notoriety. The two singers intended to release live doves into the audience at one particular gig, as a symbolic gesture of hope, peace, love and various other ideals held dear to the hippy throngs. Unable to find a rich supply of pure white birds in a city not known for its bountiful supply they settled for second best – pigeons. “It was supposed to be like white doves flying up, a big effect,” remembers keyboard player John Ryan with a chuckle, “but they wouldn’t even get out of the box, so we fucked them out! Of course they hit the ceiling, and the next thing they’re on the ground getting walked on. The pigeons all died anyway, but the story kind of grew… it was a bit like Ozzy Osbourne, people tearing the heads off pigeons and putting blood all over their t-shirts. I didn’t see it but that was the story that went around.”


Granny’s Intentions had been getting some positive notices in Irish weekly entertainment newspaper Spotlight since the group arrived from Limerick. The pigeon incident propelled them on to another level altogether. Things developed further when a new band manager arranged for a small tour of Scotland, England and Germany. The soul music that Granny’s specialised in went down a storm with the enlisted officers in the clubs in Germany, where the group played support to Philadelphia girl group The Orlons (proud owners of three US Top 10 hits during ’62 and ’63). On their return, the Limerick combo and their manager decided that bypassing the over-crowded Irish scene was the smart option for success and they decamped to London at that most opportunistic of times, June ’67, to seek their fortune.


The group was initially overawed by its surroundings in the English capital. Low


funds meant they all had to squeeze into two rooms at The Madison Hotel near Paddington station, where they rubbed shoulders with The Yardbirds and Taste, along with dozens of other up-and-coming bands, as well as plenty who were down at heel and going nowhere. They kept themselves occupied playing venues like The Speakeasy and The Bag O’ Nails as Jimi Hendrix and members of The Rolling Stones held court. The Summer Of Love was in full swing, and Granny’s were invited to play at a big outdoor celebration for the Duke Of Bedford featuring Jeff Beck, The


35


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