The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,crumbly
Date: 05 May 20 - 07:12 AM

What the hell is a Celtic band- do you mean Irish or the football club?

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Shawn M
Date: 05 May 20 - 06:14 AM

Bobby is doing well. Since the stroke, he has limited speech and limited use of his left side (if I remember correctly) but he still has that same twinkle in his eyes.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Carmine
Date: 09 Mar 19 - 11:44 PM

Any news on Bobby recently?

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Ken & Kathy - Evergreen, CO
Date: 25 Nov 17 - 11:50 AM

Dennis and I were in the same class at Branford High school. Bobby was a senior when I was a freshman. My wife and I used to see them all the time at the old Haufbrau House in New Haven, and up at North Country Fair on Rte. 100 in VT., and out on the Cape in the summer time. Great bunch of guys and a ton of fun to be around.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Walt Jaye from Scranton, Pa.
Date: 15 Nov 16 - 05:03 PM

So great to read about old friends. In the early 60's they were the mort talented people I ever met. I still e-mail Mike Jones. He's a retired teacher in Alabama. I'll be 79 soon but I'm on the right side
of the grass. Running out of friends. glad to hear Dougie is still around.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 03:54 PM

Hope he's doing better -- any news?

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 14 - 08:09 AM

Bobby McGowan had a stroke the other day. He's not well.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,brad lavigne
Date: 25 May 13 - 10:00 AM

I remember my brother bobby lavigne talking about them a lot and finally getting to meet them in jeffersonville vermont at a club jimmy ricker was a part owner in. for the life of me i can,t remember the name of it.I actually had the honer of getting up with them and playing a song with them and my brother and jimmy . the song was You ain,t going nowhere which was a Byrds cover tune. My bother had played in a group called The Thunderbolts with jim ricker for a long time. There was one song that sticks in my head and i can,t remember it all and if anyone can get me the words I would really be thankful,it was something about a blubird, it went something like ,Poor blubird Poor blubird, poor blubird on the wing,sing a song now,and from there I,m stuck. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Peter Libby
Date: 10 Dec 12 - 04:57 AM

Kabuska remained in the Valley for a number of years, but finally left I am guessing in the 80's or early 90's. Have not heard where he is now although there are probably a few still around that may know more about his whereabouts.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,David H. Lyman
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 08:32 AM

Knew the boys very well. I was the editor of the Mount Snow Valley News and gteh Cape Resorter, two weeklies that covered the bar and entertainment scenes in those two places. Played the jug with them on ocassion.
I'd love to hear them again, even see them . . . Rocky Gay, your local space queen . . . El Gronio, the gay ranchero . . . . Professor Harliq

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Dick D (aka "BD")
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 05:45 AM

Bryan...just came across your post...the KT recorded Farquhar songs??? Any idea what album(s) and the songs? I've always been a pretty big KT fan and never remember them doing any of the Farquhar's stuff.


Thanks,


BD

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Peg
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 02:46 PM

I know they used to videotape some of their shows -- anyone know if there are tapes/DVDs for sale out there? Would LOVE to have one - Bobby are you out there?   Can you help?

I'm sure there are thousands of fans who would love to see you all again, if only on tape. I know all the hundreds(!!) of performances I went to will live on in my memories forever. If anyone has any info on this, would love to hear -- I'll check back from time to time.   Peg from CT

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Pete Stanton
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 07:18 PM

I went to prep school with Bobby McGowan and Dennis McGowan. Dennis and I played basketball together at Cheshire Academy.I never saw Dennis upset or mad! He was a fantastic guy with tons of talent! We used to sing on our daily trips from Branford to Cheshire! Mike Jones was with us and we had a ball singing everything imaginable! The Farquhars were one of the most talented groups I ever saw anywhere!

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,dallas cord
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 12:32 AM

the mc gowan brothers were partnered with doug lapham and jim ricker to form the "fabulous farquhar" a very well known new england band. they played boston, mt snow, the cape, nyc....you name it, they played it. i first met them in wilmington vermont about a hundred years ago. there's still a photo of them from the early 70s(with a host of other players) on the wall of "the vermont house" in wilmington. a fine, fun group of extremely talented entertainers, they are well remembered and still spoken highly of. i still perform many of their "hits".

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: Midchuck
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 10:04 PM

I don't know much of anything about the McGowan Brothers, but the name made me think of the old country band, "The Maddox Brothers and Rose."

I think "The McGowan Brothers and Rose" (NSFW) would be a good group...

Link is to Rose McGowan, dressed for the 1998 MTV awards - what she actually wore to the party.

Peter

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Shawn Meade
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 09:45 PM

I got the chance to see Bobby play a few years ago at the deep river muster and it was amazing! i remember cap telling me to pay very close attention and thats exactly what i did! Cap also plans to introduce me to him soon and i am extremely excited!

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Ralph Z
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 11:57 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuF9XxryWaI

I thought people might enjoy this!

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Charlie/ OFD
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 12:58 AM

It certainly is great to see all the love for The McGowans and Doug, they created an atmosphere unmatched by any group no matter what stature. They included the audience in every show, and maintained a high level of excitement throughout the show.
Anyone who ever had the pleasure to see them perform will forever have fond memories of that time.
Fortunately for all their many fans, some of there 'Fabulous' work is now available on Itunes, and Amazon.com. With some songs and tributes on YouTube.
Maybe if there is enough interest (sales) their record company will release more.
God Bless and Godspeed !

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,A Fabulous Farquahr Fan
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:34 PM

Marc,
    I have a copy of The Fabulous Farquahr's "Third Album" that I've transferred to MP3s. Here is the track listing:

1) You Won't Respect Me In The Morning
2) This Time
3) Nancy Whiskey
4) Child of the Fifties
5) Stick With The Dogs
6) I'm Gonna Love you
7) Buddies Forever
8) Streets of London
9) Shower Song
10) Kilgary Mountain
11) Crying Shame
12) Carol
13) As Time Goes By

I don't have the LP handy, but I believe it was self produced for sale at their shows. I bought it at one of their performances in Hamden, CT in the mid 80s and they signed the cover. Write to me at BuffLedge at Gmail dot Com if you'd like a copy of the MP3s.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Naomi
Date: 31 May 10 - 06:13 PM

Yes, Cap is my instructor. At the moment I play with 4H fife and drum corps. I wish I was around when all of the older generation was, so I could have seen modern F&D come alive.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 30 May 10 - 03:41 PM

They weren't all bass drummers. Bobby and Dennis were. Frankie was a fifer. Bobby doesn't come around very often any more; your best bet to meet him will be Deep River or Westbrook. He did the Mariner Muster and Deep River last year w/The Mariners, but that was the 1st time I'd seen him in maybe 10 years or so. Bobby & Dennis are almost solely responsible for the way Bass Drum is played in F&DC today. There are other influences, but those 2 pioneered a new style during the 60's and 70's that has been very widely imitated. Who do you play with? Who's your instructor, Cap?

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Naomi
Date: 30 May 10 - 11:16 AM

Hey

Wow! I play the bass drum, the McGowan's insturment of choice at fife and drum. My instructor was a great friend of theirs. I've heard millions of stories about them from her. They loved old cars, and were incredible drum music composers. They were always laughing and drinking. She was telling me about their band one day, and I decided to look them up. I had no idea they were so influential. It's amazing how much I learn about, thinking it's just one person's story, and then come to find out there is a huge network of people connected to it. Thanks to everyone who posted, I hope to be introduced to Bobby someday soon.

BTW: Bobby is the only one of the brothers still alive. They all had cancer, and their sister was the only one who didn't get it. Due to this they think the cancer was caused by something in their garage.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Rich E
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 08:14 PM

What a trip back to 68-69, Mt. Snow and the Cape, They were the best, it's too bad they never made the big time.

Anybody ever hear about Kabuska. He preformed all over Mt. Snow??

RE

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 03:33 PM

Anyone know how I can get a copy of the album "Farquahr Country?" I have one but an old cassette player "ate" some of it so I need to replace it. I have the rest, just need that one. Or, if anybody knows what studio they recorder it in, then I'll call them. "i'm sure they have the master.

If somebodya knows how to contact Jimmy in South Hero, VT or Bobby in Branford, that might help too. I can be reached at [e-mail]
Thanks.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Bryan Maguire
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 08:44 PM

Enjoyed seeing the FAb Far perform many times in Connecticut in the 1980's and 90's. They were great musicians, singers and performers. We'll remember Frank and Dennis in our prayers. The Kingston Trio even recorded two of their songs in one of their Vegas albums.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,DQ of North Truro
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 12:08 PM

Wild Bill Corney still does some of their numbers, and welcomes sing-alongs. We saw him a couple of times around Dennisport, Mass. (c. 2005, I think)

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,KV FROM SPRINGFIELD,MASS
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 08:08 AM

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION,IM SO GLAD THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE
WHO STILL THINK ABOUT THEM.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,bill kane
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 02:07 AM

spent a great week at mt. snow during xmas break of my senior year in college, 1967-68. as i recall did some skiing during the day and alot of partying at a bar called fat city at nite where i saw the fabulous farquahrs. still have their album-the fabulous farquahrs.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,happyhourparrot
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 10:18 AM

I found Paul Wayne, he's now entertaining at senior homes, assisted living facilities and day care centers, etc. on the North Shore of MA and loving it! He also started a non-profit called "youmustrememberthis.org" which sponsors other entertainers to also visit and entertain our seniors...great work! I've got some super stage pics of the Farquahr (circa '70/'71) that I'd love to get to Doug and Bobby...any contact info for them? You can see an example at http://happyhourparrot.wordpress.com or contact me privately at [e-mail] ....Long Live the Happy Hour!

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,yogi
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 07:40 PM

Long live the memories my brother and i owned fat city .It was a great time to be alive and the boys from Branford are solely missd
\BILLdougherty

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,EGKG
Date: 05 Jan 10 - 07:18 PM

KV,
If you're interested, their second album (the self-titled one) has been reissued and is available on amazon.com on CD or as an MP3 download.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,KV . FROM,SPRINGFIELD, MASS
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 10:22 AM

It was about a year ago and i found out Frank had passed,and then to read on that Dennis also.
When you hear that a part of your youth has died and they were a part of mine that was the best. It is very sereal. I had the pleasure of seeing these talented men at the Keg Room and the Dock and Dine,and of couse the Cape.And they never disapointed. It was just fun,the kind of fun the young people of today will never know. I also would love to locate some of thier music. but if thats not possible I will just have to enjoy what little bit that I have. Bobby,Jim and Doug, thanks for the memories.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,EGKG
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 12:00 PM

Sorry, Pete, it didn't format quite the way I thought it would.
You can figure it out, right?

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,EGKG
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 11:58 AM

Pete, here are the lyrics you requested. Rated PG :>) Cloud 9 Motel:

I took my wife and kids on vacation To a place where we had never been There was a mix-up in our reservation So for us there was no room at the inn

Now this was at the height of the season When a room was really hard to find We drove around and long about evenin' We found the motel they called Cloud Nine

Now the wife and kids went out to find our room While I unloaded the car Soon the kids came runnin' back excited They said "Hey Dad, this is the best place by far!"

CHOURUS And they said Daddy they got mirrors on the ceiling And you ought to see what's playin' on TV They got whips and chains in the closet And the bathtub'll hold a family Now your bed is shaped like a big heart And Dad, it goes up and down And Mom's so happy she's cryin' It must be the magazines she found

I ran to that room so bewildered T'was there I found my wife in tears Cryin' "Someone please take off these handcuffs, And what's that trapeze doin' in here?"

Just then I saw my youngest A-walking by with something he had found He said "Hey Dad, what the heck is this thing? It vibrates, and makes a hummin' sound"

CHOURUS

I said to my wife, "Now Honey I won't do us any good to bitch and moan In fact, this place has got me thinkin' Let's send the little bastards home"

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Guest, Tim
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 12:45 PM

Yes, I have the lyrics to Cloud Nine, it's on the "Farquahr Country" album (cassette) which Dennis actually stuck in an envelope and sent to me down here in PA. God, maybe 15 yeras ago !! Anyway, I'll need to find a cassette player before I can get the lyrics. Just in Nov. I junked a 1995 Merc. with 180K mi. on it. That car's only value to me was it had a cassette player in it and "Country" or one of two other Farguahr tapes were always in it when I drove around the beaches of southern NJ where I am in the summer and where I kept the car in the winter. Hang in there, I'll try and get lyrics before Christmas.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 24 Nov 09 - 02:42 AM

Could anyone post the lyrics of 'Cloud Nine Motel'?

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Charlie OFD
Date: 24 Nov 09 - 02:13 AM

Good news, 'Cloud Nine Motel' is now on youtube, somebody was able to download/copy it from the Dr Demento archives.Several other songs are also there as well as some tribute covers! God I miss them so.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 08:21 PM

In the summer of 1969 I was a waiter at "The Steakpub" in Dennisport (Cape Cod). Several nights a week a group of us would go up to Orleans after work to see the Fahrquahr perform at the "Southward Inn" (AKA Orleans Inn)...great memories, great times, what a group..You could watch the same routines and hear the same music night after night and love every minute! My favorites: "My Eggs", "the morning After", "my Island" and "the Shower song". I still have 2 original tapes.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Charlie/ OFD
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 10:17 PM

Thank you I left a voicemail, and got one back, Happy to know he is alive and apparently well.
I intend to get in touch after 4th of july. I will keep this thread updated.
Happily some of their stuff is now showing up on YouTube!

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,EGKG
Date: 09 May 09 - 09:26 AM

Charlie, Last I checked, Doug's contact info was listed. Try Superpages.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,charlie, guest
Date: 06 May 09 - 12:28 PM

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Doug Lapham, I hope he is still with us. I have lyrics to several songs. I contacted Bobby 04/08, he never got back to me. His nephew was supposed to be putting something together. Terrific Group, dearly missed

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Harry
Date: 02 May 09 - 09:09 AM

Barnswallow played on ocassion with The Paul Wayne review. Anyone know where Paul is? I think Barnswallow also played with the P town jug and marching band at the Met in Providence as well as P town.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:11 PM

If I remember correctly it was Cancer.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 06:26 PM

Anybody know how Dennis died in 2001??

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,Paul McShane
Date: 10 Mar 09 - 03:51 PM

I saw the lads many times on the Cape and once owned both LP's. I was briefly in band that covered "My Eggs." Here are the lyrics:

My coffee is cold, it's sittin' ther by the stove
My toast and my juice are there too
My heart's in a shambles, I can't eat my scrambles
My eggs don't taste the same without you

The chair where you sat is occupied by the cat
I wish you had taken him too
I could do very nicely with your once over lightly
My eggs don't taste the same without you

(chorus) No more good morning kiss
No more I love you
No more laughining how the dog bit
the paper boy kid
My, wasn't that big news?

So if you ever come back,
I'll even feed your old cat
And you can wear your curlers, too
I'm sittin' hered fired, you took my sunnyside
My eggs don't taste the same without you.


Remember 'Swallow's "My Island"? A beautiful song.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 09:53 PM

I grew up in Branford, Connecticut and saw the fellas all the time. I am now in florida and would so much like to get some type of recording of them! Any ideas? I love the shower song and all the others as well! [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,beverly of "Ariel"
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 11:18 PM

Have always wondered what became of Fat City...my rock band, Ariel (all women) played and lived there throughout the summer of 69... On our one day off we would go to hear the Farquahr and hang out..they were a real treat.
We were playing the weekend of woodstock, had a huge house that weekend, but when we came in to the club the next day to practice, all our amps had been stolen, and were later found being used as canoes on lake whitingham.
Nontheless, we loved the place and everyone who came to hear us...I think the owner's name was Kenny Boos...not sure.\
A church ??? how ungodly.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 12:02 PM

Big John Hartman of Branford here..203 481 2378...I was in the group at the chowder pot in the 80's..We were Barnswallow and the Bigger Brothers..we were the first to perform Doug's Pizza Boy..I am in regular touch with him and have recorded several new songs...a couple of years ago he wrote a one act play for red hatters that we produced..he wrote the whole script and songs...please call me..I play piano...my nick name was " Ski "...as in a skiing buffalo.."Big John" Hartman.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 08:32 AM

The Fabulous Farquahr was comprised of brothers Frank, Dennis and Bob McGowan, who were all members of the Ancient Mariners Fife and Drum Corps from Ct., as well as Doug Lapham, Jim Ricker (bass) and Dick Liso (drummer) who were not Mariners. The Fabulous Farquahr was the brain child of Doug Lapham, a relative of the Mcgowan Brothers. After a falling out, it was Frank, Dennis, Bobby, from Guilford Ct., & Jim who was from Grand Isle, Vermont. Individually, they were known as Barnswallow Farquahr, Hummingbird Farquahr, Flamingo Farquahr (Bobby), Condor Farquahr (jim), and Little Dicky Bird (Dick). (missing one bird) Their music has been described as a mix of Irish folk music, bluegrass, psychedelic rock and comedy. According to Ancient Mariner John Ciaglia (Woodpecker Farquahr), who joined in 1981 and played with them for eighteen years until their last gig in 1999, the comedy routines were all done by Bobby and were mostly gay humour routines. Evidently they were a big hit in Provincetown. Along with Ciaglia, Mariner Craig Stopka joined for one year.

The Fabulous Farquahr have the distinction of being the official band for Hubert Humphrey's presidential bid during the 60's.

They released two albums early on, "The Fabulous Farquahr" (1968), and "Farquahr" (1970). During the eighties they released a couple of other albums, which I have not been able to track down.

Dennis McGowan passed away in 2001.
Frank McGowan passed away in October 2004 at the age of 65.

The antique car business is no more.

Subject: RE: The McGowan Brothers - Old Celtic Band
From: GUEST,janet nave
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 09:39 PM

why did Doug leave the group? I remember seeing them many times in Boston and at the Cape in early 70s and he seemed to be the leader--very talented. I had many good times hearing them and they always put a smile on my face.