A survivor of the Miami Showband massacre said guilt has pushed him to keep the names of his slain “brothers” alive.
Des Lee was one of two people who survived a UVF ambush on the group on August 31, 1975.
And 44 years later, still beset with survivor’s guilt, he said he is delighted to tell the world their story through new musical The Miami Showband Story.
The 72-year-old told Dublin Live: “It has always been my aim, for as long as I live, to keep the name of Fran, Brian and Tony alive. They died a very tragic death and they were my brothers and as I say I want to keep their name alive.”
The band had been travelling from a gig in Banbridge to Dublin when they stopped for what they believed was a routine Army checkpoint.
Instead, they were halted by UVF gunmen who attempted to plant a bomb in the band’s minibus.
After it exploded prematurely they opened fire and killed lead singer Fran O’Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian McCoy.
The musical will come to the Gaiety Theatre from September 16 to 21.
Despite his desire to share their story with the world, original member Des admitted it also brings back a lot of pain.
But he added: “I don’t want people to dwell too much on the massacre.
“I know it is a massive part of the play and it has to be included but at the same time, I want people to see from the beginning how the Miami went through those years of bringing so much pleasure to people through the years.”
