Brendan Bowyer (12 October 1938 – 28 May 2020) was an Irish singer best known as the frontman of the Royal Showband and later the Big Eight. He was one of the most prominent figures of the Irish showband era, achieving five number-one singles on the Irish Singles Chart.
Early Life and Education: Born in Waterford, Ireland, he relocated to Limerick with his family at age two. He was educated at the Model School and Crescent College, and sang with the Redemptorist choir before returning to Waterford.
Career: Bowyer began his career with the Royal Showband in 1957. He became known for tailoring American rock and roll music to Irish audiences and for his athletic, energetic stage performances. On 6 September 1963, Bowyer and the Royal Showband became the first Irish artists to top the Irish Singles Chart with "Kiss Me Quick," which held the number-one position for seven weeks. They returned to number one later that year with "No More," and again in 1964 with "Bless You." Their greatest success came in 1965 with "The Hucklebuck," which spent seven weeks at number one and was also a hit in Australia. "Don't Lose Your Hucklebuck Shoes" returned the band to number one later that year.
In 1965, Bowyer participated in the Irish National Song Contest for a chance to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest, placing fifth with "Suddenly in Love."
In the summer of 1971, Bowyer and singer Tom Dunphy left the Royal Showband to form the Big Eight Showband. The band spent summers playing the Irish ballroom circuit and six months of the year performing in Las Vegas. They eventually relocated permanently to Las Vegas, where Bowyer was based for the remainder of his career, though he made frequent return trips to Ireland. In 1977, he returned briefly to the Irish charts with the tribute single "Thank You Elvis."
Notable Historical Connection: The Beatles opened for the Royal Showband at a concert on 2 April 1962 at the Pavilion Theatre in Liverpool, approximately six months before the release of The Beatles' first single "Love Me Do."
Elvis Presley Connection: Bowyer was regarded as one of the first headlining Elvis impersonators. Elvis Presley was reportedly a fan of Bowyer's performances and would attend his concerts at the Stardust Resort & Casino in Las Vegas during the 1970s.
Personal Life and Death: Bowyer was married to Stella Brennan from 22 June 1967 until his death. They had three children. He died on 28 May 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 81.
