VENTURA HIGHWAY

Ventura Highway formed in Derry in 1979, the original line up included Martin Mullan on drums and Jackie Hamilton on Guitar. When Jackie left to join the Moondogs, Martin Sweeney joined the band as lead guitarist, quickly followed by Paul McGowan on Bass and Don Clarke lead singer. From their very first performance in 1979 the band built up a loyal following of brilliant fans who attended their concerts and gigs. The band played all over Ireland in Youth Clubs, Schools, Community Centres, Parish Halls, Pubs and Concert Venues. They regularly played support to the Moondogs and the Undertones. They shared the stage with the likes of The Outcasts, Rudi, The Sect and The Idol Threats. Although the band played mostly covers, The Ramones, The Clash, The Sex Pistols…they had their own songs including, True Love, Red Light Jane and Friday Night. These songs and their live performances attracted the attention of a local management company who promised amongst other things a proper record contract. Alas it wasn’t to be, the band members weren’t prepared to give up permanent jobs to become full time musicians. Who knows where they may have ended up. The band split up in 1981 following an incident that left lead singer Don Clarke badly injured. A few musicians filled temporary gaps along the way, they included Bernard (Woody) Duffy, Danny Doherty and Damian Nixon. All individual members of Ventura Highway have remained involved in the local music since the 1980’s In August 2019, forty years on, the band reformed to rekindle old friendships and perform at a few charity gigs. They now practice regularly and have finally made it to the recording studio. In the words of Ventura Highway the craic’s mighty and we’re living the dream. On 29th March 2022 Spit Records released Shellshock Rockers Vol. 3, a compilation CD of previously unreleased tracks, all salvaged from old cassette tapes. This featured Ventura Highway track 'School Love', recorded in 1979. If anyone has any further photographs of this band, then please DO get in contact via spit77to82@aol.com

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