This is a tribute page to Big Tom and the Mainliners. e-mails etc should be directed to Tom’s record company, but your comments are welcomed.
Originally named as The Mighty Mainliners the band became famous after appearing on RTÉ Television in 1966 performing their hit song Gentle Mother which reached number 7 in the pop charts of Ireland. In the early seventies the band changed their name to just The Mainliners however soon afterwards they adopted the name Big Tom and the Mainliners in line with other Irish Showbands where a single man was used to take centre stage.
In May 1975 lead vocalist Big Tom split from the band and formed a new band named Big Tom and the Travellers under new management Top Rank Entertainment owned by country music tycoon Tony Loughman. The band in the meantime had other lead vocalists drafted in including John Glenn, Tom Allen and Jan Lynch. They also performed without a front man.
Big Tom rejoined the band and became very successful once again.
Since 1999
Due to their advancing years the band have only had occasional ’comeback’ tours.
In 2000 Big Tom underwent a nodule operation on his throat.
In 2004 Big Tom’s son Dermot McBride took Ginger Morgan’s place on Bass Guitar, Peter McCarthy took Ronnie Duffy’s place on Drums and Robert Browne, a second keyboardist in the band, appeared to took Cyril McKevitt’s place on Trombone (however both were performing for the band in their Q4 2005 tour)
In 2005 the band recorded a hit single The Same Way You Came In.
On July 8, 2005 a plaque was erected in Big Tom’s home village of Oram, near Castleblayney in appreciation to his contribution to Country and Irish music.
In November 2006 at the age of 70 Big Tom suffered a sudden heart attack, this had put doubt into whether he would tour again with the band however doctors have since given the all clear for him to have a mini tour of Ireland in February, 2008.
Hello there Tom, it's great to see you doing what you do and love best,up there on the stage in the lights ,singing your great hits to an unending army of fans.long may it last.best wishes.
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