When Aslan lost Christy

On joining Northside People in January 1989, one of my first acts was to introduce a music page into the paper to connect with our younger readers. Within weeks I had landed my first scoop in the form of an exclusive interview with the remaining members of Aslan. 

Fans of the Finglas band were shocked in 1988 when, at the peak of their success, lead singer Christy Dignam split from the band due to his well-publicised battle with heroin addiction. The remaining members of the band attempted to carry on without him, recruiting singer Eamon Doyle (pictured below left with Tony McGuinness and Billy McGuinness).

  

  I interviewed the 'new' Aslan in early 1989 ahead of a comeback show in the SFX. When we met in their management office near the Ha'penny Bridge, they were full of enthusiasm and praise for Eamon, who certainly looked the part of rock singer. However, it was hard to believe that they could carry on without Christy Dignam who was such an integral part of Aslan's sound. In their heart of hearts, somehow I don't think even they believed it would work.

The band trundled on for a while before splitting, going on to gig as The Precious Stones, while Christy formed Dignam and Goff (pictured below).

They eventually reunited with Dignam in 1993 for what was supposed to be a one-off show in Finglas. In Darren Kinsella's photo below, Christy is pictured during that legendary South Band Show gig with daughter Keira, now a singer in her own right. That show made them all realise that they still had the magic when they played together. Shortly after that, hit single 'Crazy World' led the band on the road to years of success, much to the delight of their fans.