Brendan Bowyer, one of the legendary troubadours of the showbiz scene, is home from Las Vegas this month to perform a series of shows.

This is truly a trip down memory lane and Brendan will revive memories of the showband era, while also delivering some other amazing songs during his energetic concert.

Born in Waterford in October 1938, his father Stanley was a professor of music and choirmaster at the cathedral. Brendan was just two years old when Stanley got an offer to go to Limerick in 1940. He spent all his early school years in Limerick, before the family moved back to Waterford 10 years later in 1950.

The Royal Showband was formed in 1957, at a time when Elvis Presley was breaking big in America.

In an nostalgic interview with Irish Country Sound during Christmas 2012, Brendan fondly recalled: “We were the first to do the rock ’n‘ roll. Tom Dunphy did the country songs. He was brilliant and he helped broaden our appeal in many country areas.

“We often rehearsed in the Olympia in Waterford, but we also used the Ashgrove Hall out the road in Mooncoin (Co Kilkenny) on a few occasions. It was in Mooncoin that I probably developed the Elvis moves that were to become an integral part of my life with The Royal.

“I didn’t really take a drink until I was 22, but I remember this one night when I was only around 17, we were rehearsing in Mooncoin and we went into the pub next door and I had a few Babychams. Michael Coppinger in the band called them “giggle water”. I thought they were a kind of lemonade. Well, they must have done something for me because I did a few Elvis songs in the rehearsals and put moves in that I would never have done before. The lads in the band said: ‘Brendan, you’re onto something there.’ They were right.”

The Hucklebuck

The Hucklebuck, the biggest of his six number one hits, became the defining song of the entire showband era.

His album, Follow On, was named Record of the Month in Hot Press (2001), reflecting the enduring appeal and quality of Brendan Bowyer.

Brendan will be joined by his band and a special guest, his daughter Aisling, for shows in the Acoustic Club, INEC, Killarney, on Saturday, 11 October; the Civic Theatre in Tallaght, Dublin, on Sunday 12; Riverside Park, Enniscorthy, on Thursday 16; Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint, on Friday 17; Bridge House, Tullamore, on Sunday 19; Town Hall Theatre, Galway, on Tuesday 21 and the Glen Theatre, Banteer, on Sunday 26 October.