Ernie Graham facts for kids

Ernie Graham (born Ernest Graham; 14 June 1946 – 27 April 2001) was a singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Northern Ireland. He played music from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s.

Ernie Graham's Early Life and First Band

Ernie Graham was born in Belfast. He was learning to be a mechanic when he joined his first band in 1965. The band was called Tony & the Telstars, and Ernie played rhythm guitar.

After the band broke up, Ernie and two other members moved to England. There, Ernie met Henry McCullough. Ernie and Henry went back to Belfast and formed a new band. They called it The People. George O'Hara, Davey Lutton, and Chris Stewart also joined the band.

Touring with Eire Apparent

In 1967, The People moved back to London. Two music managers, Michael Jeffery and Chas Chandler, noticed them. They signed the band to a record deal.

In 1968, the band changed its name to Eire Apparent. They went on tour with famous bands like Soft Machine, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix.

Eire Apparent recorded only one album, called Sunrise, in 1969. Jimi Hendrix helped produce the album and even played on it. Soon after, Henry McCullough left the band. Eire Apparent then broke up. Ernie Graham moved in with Henry and recorded four songs with Henry's new band, The Grease Band. However, these songs were never released.

Solo Music and Help Yourself

Ernie Graham then signed a solo record deal with Liberty Records. He shared a manager with two other bands, Brinsley Schwarz and Help Yourself. They all toured together as "The Down Home Rhythm Kings." They even lived in the same house in Northwood.

Both bands also played on Ernie's solo album, Ernie Graham, released in 1971. Music critics liked the album. They called it "one of the most hauntingly beautiful" albums of its time. It was also described as "one of the more distinctive and memorable solo albums." However, not many copies were sold.

Ernie and 'JoJo' Glemser later joined the band Help Yourself. They played with the band at the Glastonbury Festival in 1971. Ernie also played on their second album, Strange Affair, released in 1972. But Ernie left the band before the album came out.

Forming the Band Clancy

In 1973, Ernie Graham started a new pub rock band called Clancy. They first signed with Island Records. But they released two albums and a single with Warner Bros. Records.

When Clancy broke up in 1976, Ernie played with Nick Lowe. He also tried to restart his solo career. In 1978, he released a single called "Romeo and the Lonely Girl." This was his last official music release.

Ernie Graham's Music Releases

Here are some of the music releases Ernie Graham was part of:

With The People

• Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups from Belfast's Maritime Club – 1966
• Belfast Beat Maritime Blues – Reissued album

With Eire Apparent

• Sunrise – 1969

Solo Albums and Singles

• Ernie Graham – 1971
• "Romeo and the Lonely Girl" / "Only Time Will Tell" – 1978 single

With Help Yourself

• Strange Affair – 1972

With Clancy

• Everyday – 1975
• Seriously Speaking – 1975

Songs on Other Albums

• All Good Clean Fun – 1971 (featured "Don't Want Me Round You")
• Naughty Rhythms: The Best of Pub Rock – 1996 (featured "Don't Want Me Round You")
• Goodbye Nashville, Hello Camden Town – 2007 (featured "Sweet Inspiration" and "Baby You're All I Need")