The Duskeys was an
Irish family pop group,
known for their participation in the
Eurovision Song Contest 1982
The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Harrogate, United Kingdom, following the country's victory at the with the song " Making Your Mind Up" by Bucks Fizz. Organised by the Europ ...
with the song "
Here Today Gone Tomorrow".
Background
Formed after the break-up of Sandy Kelly's (real name Philomena Ellis) touring showband The Fairways, she recruited her sister Barbara Ellis and Welsh cousin Nina Duskey. In 1980, they released their debut single, "Don't Feel Like Dancing". In 1981 they competed in the Irish national finals for the
1981 Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Dublin, Ireland, following the country's victory at the with the song "What's Another Year" performed by Johnny Logan. Organised by the Euro ...
with the song "Where Does That Love Come From" under the name The Duskey Sisters. They finished in third place.
A year later, they tried again and recruited a male member, Nina's brother, Dan Duskey. They performed the song "Here Today Gone Tomorrow" and this time, won the contest. This earned themselves a place in the
1982 Eurovision Song Contest and with 49 points, they came in eleventh position. The song was heavily reworked for its single release and became a hit on the Irish charts, reaching No.12.
The group followed this up with the singles "Our Love is Slippin' Away" and "We Got Love" and they toured Ireland for the next two years. In late 1983, the group were involved in a road accident while on tour which effectively ended the group.
The following year, Sandy Kelly launched a successful solo career, scoring a number of hits on the Irish charts, including two singles she recorded with
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...
.
She continues to tour under this name (Kelly is her married name), largely focusing on country music.
As Michael Palace, Dan Duskey later fronted the group ''Palace'' that finished 5th in the 1986
A Song For Europe
A, or a, is the first Letter (alphabet), letter and the first vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''English alphabet#Letter names, a'' (pronounced ), plural ...
contest in the UK with the song "Dancing With You Again".
Dan Duskey is now a pastor in the Elim Pentecostal Church, Bristol, under the name Simon Foster.
References
Welsh pop music groups
Irish pop music groups
Family musical groups
Eurovision Song Contest entrants
20th-century Irish musicians
1980s in Irish music
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