INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINER
Dave Monks - Lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist was born in Dublin, Ireland.
He continues to perform in South Africa with the addition of two of the finest female vocalists in the country to complete the modern day Leprechauns act.
For many years he has been performing his celebrated One Man Show in many countries and venues. In South Africa, as a one man act or with the famous Leprechauns they are still the ultimate people-pleasing act.
With a repertoire that stretches well over four decades, the One Man Show includes all the good ol’ Irish favourites as well as Pop, Country, Rock & Roll, Reggae and an abundance of built-in party-party-party.
When performing in South Africa Dave is totally self-sufficient boasting a state of the art sound system which can be tailored to suit all indoor and outdoor venues. On-stage lighting is also supplied as well as the on-board “Sham-Rock Disco” which caters for all your before and after party needs - so the party never stops.
Read all about Dave – then and now
Having
toured Ireland and the UK during the late 1960’s playing music with various
Pop and Rock Bands, Dave was head-hunted in 1973 and offered a position in
Ireland’s premier group “The Miami Showband” as lead guitarist, replacing
the legendary guitar ace Clem Quinn.
In 1974 this increasingly popular Showband reached the number one spot on
the Irish Pop Charts with their massive hit “Clap your Hands & Stomp your
Feet”.
Dave enjoyed years of fame with “The Miami Showband” and made regular
appearances on T.V. and radio. The Band was featured in most music magazines
along with other famous rock bands of the day. Dave resigned from the Miami
Showband to pursue a new musical venture and a job offer to tour South
Africa.
Members of “The Miami” came to bid Dave and fellow members of his new group
farewell on 31 July 1975 and while Dave headed off to South Africa, “The
Miami Showband” headed off to a show in Banbridge, Co Down.
(Dave is 2nd from the left.)
On Dave’s
arrival at Durban Airport South Africa on 1 August 1975 he was met by
Special Branch Policemen who informed him that three members of his former
band ”The Miami Showband” had been murdered in an ambush back home in
Ireland.
They were shot beside their van which had been blown up by activists posing
as policemen. Dave’s mother was devastated when the news broke, as
newspapers had reported that he was among those killed and included in these
articles were photographs of Dave with his deceased friends on all the front
pages. Dave contacted his mother on his arrival in Durban, South Africa
quite distraught at the horrific news he had come to hear.
I have been sent some treasured photographs of my time with my special friends and decided to included a few here for those of you who remember The Miami.
Dave far left Dave far right
Dave standing behind Fran
TIME AND TIDE
Dave’s new
band “The Leprechauns” with their infectious and very catchy
foot-tapping music and Irish charm became a roaring success in South Africa
as they made their mark and the rest is history.
Nowadays the fun loving Dave and his team of entertainers cater for the
diversity of audiences. He can be seen playing solo or with the addition of
two glamorous girls and they just never seem to stop ‘wowing’ audiences
wherever they perform.
Dave lives in Umhlanga, on the Kwa-Zulu Natal Coast in South Africa and is
married to Lynne. They have two children, Shane and Erin. After completing
his University degree Shane moved to Dublin, where he now resides and works
as a Fund Accountant while Erin, still lives at home and is a second year
University Student.
Since Dave arrived in South Africa in 1975 he has toured the length and
breadth of the country including Zimbabwe, Namibia. Swaziland, Lesotho,
various ship cruises, and believe it or not, Dave was invited to perform in
Seoul, South Korea for more than seven months.
Dave has
recently returned to South Africa having completed four successful summer
seasons entertaining in The Algarve, Portugal.
Dave’s versatility still amazes audiences as he plays with ease - Guitar –
Bass – Fiddle – Banjo – Mandolin – Harmonica and Penny Whistle. An
accomplished songwriter and session musician who has penned many jingles for
Television and Radio adverts.
Dave can be heard on many
radio adverts as a voice-over artist. Over the years Dave has written songs
for “The Leprechauns” and other artists who have been featured on national
Television and Radio.
Tel: RSA Cell: 082 5623219
Tel: International Cell: 0027 825623219
email: monksdave@gmail.com
