THE IRISH ROVERS with guest LONNIE DONEGAN 1971.

On November 29th 1971, THE IRISH ROVERS’ guests were Lonnie Donegan and dancers Joan Millar, Joe’s wife, and Margaret McDowell, Wilcil’s wife. Lonnie was the UK's most popular and influential recording artist before the Beatles. His influence on British music in the late fifties is incalculable. His interest was in skiffle music, played on improvised musical instruments such as kazoos, broomhandle basses, washboards and empty cider-jugs. His version of Leadbelly's Rock Island Line stormed into the US and UK Top Ten in 1956, resulting in the sale of thousands of guitars to aspiring skifflers including John Lennon's Quarrymen. For 6 years the King of Skiffle clocked up 30 UK hits including Cumberland Gap, Lost John, Gambling Man, Putting on the Style (#1 when Lennon met McCartney), Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour, Have a Drink on Me, Battle of New Orleans, and My Old Man's a Dustman. He wrote I'll Never Fall in Love Again for Tom Jones, a #1 hit. The Rovers were Will Millar, his brother George, cousin Joe, and friends Jimmy Ferguson and Wilcil McDowell.

[@nosmoking6573]

Amazing singer and performer . saw him In Mr Cinders:) happy days

[@nosmoking6573]

Always gave 100 % xox

[@toni4729]

Love ya Lonnie, miss you like mad. Saw you in Adelaide about 45 years ago and you were brilliant.

[@sharonpreston3448]

It's always wonderful to see new vintage rovers. Thank you so very much for sharing these rare gems that would otherwise be lost to time if not for your generosity. You are the best. Keep the rovers coming.

[@Gjk-tl9rh]

The king of scithle ❤

[@nopcshere6097]

Marvelous! Love these Irish Rovers classics. Can't wait to see more. Keep them coming!

[@ericp22]

So great to see more vintage Irish Rovers shows. I vaguely remember watching this when it was on in the 70's. Great to see in its entirety. Thanks a million for posting. Can't wait to see what other gems you have of the boys. God bless you.

[@rhonda868]

Yay!😃 This was great 👍!! Thank you for all the wonderful, smile-inducing, sing-along goodness of these Irish Rovers episodes! 👍👍👍

[@landonstanhope9269]

Wow Thanks so much for sharing. Never seen this before. I love these Irish Rovers videos so much. Keep em coming!

[@DSherry68]

Yayyyy more rovers. What a treat to see this. I absolutely love your rovers videos and you made my day seeing this. A huge thanks for all that you share with us. These are truly gold. Looking forward to more where these came from.

[@davidbaxter4910]

HISTORY. I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANY OF THIS BEFORE!?

[@LindaWright-d1e]

Im ashamed to say im 76 and almost forgot our Lonnie, putting on his style! 😂❤ 🎶 🎵

[@peterosborn6056]

Great, many thanks for posting

[@gordgraham8426]

This is a great show with music 🎵 and guess

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Good stuff Will keep them coming

[@kernjames]

What a great blast from the past! Thanks for posting.

[@toni4729]

Whisky on a Sunday. I haven't heard that song for decades. It left a lump in my throat.

[@alanoneill3065]

The original Plastic Paddies?

[@mhicmacglashan3145]

This is truly awful presentation !!

[@mhicmacglashan3145]

But fine dancing and musicianship but awful ‘cod’ Irishness. And who thought Lonnie needed a band backing ?