Joe Dolan

Born 16 October 1943, Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland
Died 26 December 2007

Dolan lost his parents at the age of 15 and he had to live with his brother. They started a band together, but that didn't work out and Joe later formed The Drifters Showband in 1964, in which he was the guitarist and lead singer. But he prefered to work solo. The same year he hit the Irish charts, reaching 4th place.

By 1969 he had gained an international breakthrough, with hit after hit scored all over Europe and in the USA. He toured through the U.K., Europe, Israel, South America, South Africa and was the first western artist to perform in Russia. He later toured North America. In the 90's he set up his own label: Gable Records and built his own recording studio in his hometown of Mullingar, Ireland.

Dolan died in December 2007 at Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, due to a suspected intracerebral hemorrhage.