Legendary bandleader celebrates 90th birthday

Athlone musicians and townspeople paid tribute to Syd Shine, the first man of music of the town last week, at a reception at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, to mark his 90th birthday. Athonians who danced to the music of Syd Shine, and his big band orchestra in the 1950s, and his showband, the Saints in the 1960s,lined up to wish the bandleader well on his latest milestone birthday. The name Syd Shine is legendary in music circles throughout the country, and he is also an acknowledged authority on the waterways of the River Shannon, and the oldest member of the Lough Ree Yacht club. Musicians such as Frankie O'Brien, Tommy O'Connor, Mickey Tierney, Joe Casey and Joe Flynn from the big band era, and local showband stars, Frankie McDonald and Liam Meade turned up to wish the music man all the best for his birthday. They were joined in music by the likes of Gerry Flynn, Joe Glynn and Colm Shine on stage for the birthday. Ciaran Mullolly and the RTE cameras recorded the day for an upcoming 'Nationwide' segment, and guests such as Deputy Mary O'Rourke recalled memories of The Crescent ballroom and bands with the man himself, Syd Shine. "I have happy memories of dancing with my husband, Enda in the Crescent ballroom, and I've known Syd for years, and he has given great music pleasure to many," said the Athlone TD. Joe Flynn introduced proceedings by reminding the 100-plus Athlonians present at the birthday, that Syd Shine was born on July 23rd, 1920, in Hillside House, near the Bower Convent. "The land where the old Crescent ballroom and shop is now, and also Southlands was once owned by the Shell Mex Oil company, and as time passed on, Shell sold the land to Syd's father, Martin Shine, and the Oil company moved to Coosan Road just below the hospital and later called it Midland Oil," said Joe. "Syd's father built his residence and shop first, and Syd's elder brother Frank convinced his father to build a small ballroom on top, upstairs. Two years later, the first phase of the Crescent ballroom was born." He went on to say that the ballroom continued successfully right through the 40s and early 50s, when Syd decided to put another extension on, and it all continued to operate until the mid-1960s when the premises were sold by Syd. Syd went on to build the Jolly Mariner marina and nightclub. In July 2001, Syd gained a special honour at Aras an Uactarain from President Mary McAleese for his contribution to the Irish showband scene in the 1960s. Syd lived for almost 70 years of his life, on two barges, the Chang Cha and the Fox, on the River Shannon in Athlone. He continues to be the music legend who was once, Syd of the Crescent Orchestra and of Athlone's own showband - Syd and the Saints!