Granny's Intentions

Granny's intentions started life (as did most groups in the 60's and 70's) as a relief band in their native Limerick playing for £5 a night. As they became more popular locally, they eventually spread their wings and started playing the clubs in Dublin, building a reputation as a great live band. In 1967, as the band broke from their rural beginnings, they quickly dominated the scene in Dublin. In fact, in June, 1967, Pat Egan listed them as the most popular beat group in Dublin, ahead of well known groups like the Vampires, Strangers and Chosen Few. At this point, they were still in the transition period from their original name, The Intentions, to Granny's Intentions as Pat listed them under both names in the same column. The following week Pat reiterated that the Intentions, who had just gone off to London in June, were the country's number one group. The trip to London in the summer of 1967 resulted in the announcement of their recording contract with Deram records, one of only two Irish artists to sign with the label that we know of (the other being Patricia Cahill). The label boasted acts like Procol Harem, Cat Stevens and the Move among their stable at the time. Within a couple of months they released their first single, Story of David. In August, it was reported in Spotlight that Martin Branigan had left the band (as we not aware that he was in the band, we will have to check this fact out). Granny's Intentions seemed to get more press (at least from Spotlight) than any other beat group of the mid to late sixties, but never quite lived up to the hype which surrounded their careers. By late 1968, they had relocated from their native Limerick to London to try their luck abroad. In an article by Pat Egan in the December 28th, 1968 issue of Spotlight, the head of Deram Records (a division of Decca), Wayne Bickerton, is quoted as saying the band's album (due to be released in January) would be in a style "similar to the Moody Blues." Despite their success, organist and leader John Ryan said in the same article, "It's not all that rosy over here and we are far from being big stars. But at least we're doing what we want to and enjoying it." The band included Johnny Duhan (vocals), Greg Donaghy (drums), John Ryan (keyboards) and John Hockedy (guitar) but in February 1969, it was reported in Spotlight's Insight Column that drummer Greg Donaghy had left the band. The same column also reported that the Orange Machine had broken up, having just released their second single. A few weeks later, the new lineup of the band was announced with Peter Cummins (former bass player with the Grass band) and drummer Noel Bridgeman (formerly with Skid Row) joining forced with Duhan, Ryan and Hockedy. By early 1970, drummer Noel Bridgeman had left the band to rejoin Brush Shiels and Gary Moore in Skid Row he was replaced by Pat Nash. At that time the band released it first (and as far as we can tell only) album, Honest Injun. Despite having left the band, both Bridgeman and Moore from Skid Row appeared on the album. The band was moving toward a country rock feel and continued to live in Bayswater, England.