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In 1968, MUSICIAN Joe Dolan placed a half-page magazine in music magazine New Spotlight offering a reward for any information about “vicious” rumours that were being spread about him.
There were persistent rumours about the Drifters lead singer’s sexuality, but Dolan always denied he was gay. In an article following Dolan’s death in 2007, columnist Donal Lynch said he was sorry he had asked him “THAT question” in an interview.
At the time he placed the advertisement in New Spotlight, being gay in Ireland was still a criminal offence.
Offering £500 to anyone who could help him secure a prosecution, Dolan said he believed the “false and malicious” rumours were an attempt to injure him.
He said he feared they could “reflect on my colleagues in the Drifters and ruin us with all the dancing and music-loving public”.
“These could put parents against allowing young people to the ballrooms we play in. It could be a spiteful move to damage us in the entertainment world, or it could be the product of evil minds, but whatever it is, I am determined to get to the bottom of it.”
The advertisement was supplied by Brian ‘Doug’ McMahon of Brand New Retro. You can find more snippets from the past in his new book, which is available in all good book stores.
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So he was gay.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
“The Outing” One of the best Seinfeld episodes..
Indeed Kramer boy…”The contest” is my favourite though if I had to chose one. Best sitcom ever.
I’ve so many I don’t think I could pick a favourite but “The Outing” and “The Contest” would be up there.. Even though some of the early episodes are nearly 30 years old they haven’t aged at all..
Off to YouTube I go….
I’ve gone through the box sets again recently. The Marine Biologist just never gets old.
You’ll find shag all on YouTube I’m afraid. Try kodi.
There’s a malicious rumour that he got glassed in a Munich bar because allegedly he felt up the wrong kinda guy…
Joe wasn’t glassed in a Munich bar, he received a fierce beating in a toilet in a pub in London according to Ronan Collins of rte who played in a band at that rime
Nope he never said he was gay
But that then would damage the witnesses reputations then as well?
A witness is only as reliable as their character? Then what about the victim and their character, how did he get his nose broken lol.
The “Subway” was brilliant.. I was over in NYC recently and highlight of the trip was lunch in Toms Restaurant which they used for Monks.. Lots of Seinfeld memorabilia on the walls..
The comeback my favorite George episode.
Nobody does hypocrisy better than we do, well, maybe the Brits would be in there with a shout, but there’s no hypocrite like a happy hypocrite and we qualified in spades. Still do in some regards
The Soup Nazi….still cracks me up.
“No soup for you”
As bent as a butcher’s meat hook.
This article is factually incorrect – it was never illegal to be gay in Ireland. It was however illegal to have homosexual sex at the time.
Correct monty, there was a lot of lavender weddings in Ireland in those days, jasus he’s a fierce man for the wimmin. aye ya boy ya. Slap on back..nudge nudge wink wink. Peasants
So what’s the bloody difference Ghost?? “Ah sur It’s alright I’m not gay, me boyfriend is…”
It was the other way around – being gay was not illegal – ie it was not illegal to be sexually attracted to someone of the same sex. It was, however, illegal for men to have sex with other men. In fact, I believe it was technically illegal for any couple to have anal sex – even a hetero couple. It all seems bizarre now, in any case.
The rich all went to Sweden then…
Joe Dolan was an entertainer and a great ambassador for his town & country his sexuality was his own business long live his memorary and please visit his statue and the Bridge named after him which is the “Joe Dolan Memorial Bridge” the longest bridge in the republic of Ireland both in Mullingar the Westmeath Counties Capital town and home of the famous singer and also One Direction’s Niall Horan.
Well said…
The mans private life was his own business..
Leave Joe to rest in peace. He was a respected entertainer and a good man.
There was no show like a Joe show!!!
Knickers thrown up on the stage, that is funny in hindsight after reading that…
Lads knickers
So did he find out who started the rumors and was he gay?
Think he had them gagged…
Kinky…
Sad sad sad, poor Joe he lived in a land dominated by pixies priests and peasants. The priests were telling them that two fellas doing the wild thing was a sin and they believed them meanwhile we discovered what the priests were doing in those years, my Jesus what a kip it was
Joes lifelong parter was a detective Garda….male. He was named in the will a while after joes death
He wasn’t a detective, just an ordinary Garda and they were together for years
Joe was determined to get to the bottom of it.
The top Sh!t piece of journalism for 2016
“Normally Joe is cool, calm and ruffled…” That made me smile.
Ruffles are so Gay lol
How much is that 500 worth now, I started the rumour?
“At the time he placed the advertisement in New Spotlight, being gay in Ireland was still a criminal offence”.
Geez, Michelle, that’s the worst blooper yet. Do you have any education at all?
Is there any need for a comment like that. Ask yourself honestly and then take a look at yourself.
I’m not gay but me boyfriend is
Meth is a hell of a drug.
Didn’t he sing that song “Good looking woman”? That doesn’t sound to me like something a gay man would sing. I’m inclined to believe Joe. Maybe someone was trying to discredit him. I wonder if the GS talked to Dicky Rock or Big Tom…..
We’re there not other more serious rumours?
Pedo, rapist, murderer, are just a few… That do and can be used…
That was just examples of gossip in that statement… People can be dense sometimes…
Puts a whole new slant on “ball room romance”, doesn’t it!
I’ve got to the bottom of it!
Nigel, stop thinking about men’s bottoms….
Even in 1968 one would have thought that anyone went to a big on the basis of the strenght of the band and its ability to entertain and who would ever think of what the lead singer did other than sing. Would being Jehovah’s Witness been a issue even if you sang about whitewashed gables.
The Dolan Effect
I believe he was 35 in 2007 according to a friend…
It seems like he couldn’t identify the alligators.
We can’t pay you the £500 until, we get to the bottom of this, so, if you have any hard evidence, please don’t let it slip through your hands.
Lame. Very lame.
But what about that song, “good looking woman”? That doesn’t sound to me like something a gay man would sing. I’m inclined to believe Joe. I think someone was out to blacken his name. I wonder if GS spoke to Dicky Rock or Big Tom.
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