Rob Strong - catch him and his band at a free gig in Gleesons on Sunday sponsored by Budweiser.
The legendary singer Rob Strong may be 76 but, after 60 years on the road, his shows still pack more energy than many teenage bands can muster. This Sunday, July 2nd, he’s bringing all that energy, and his band, to Gleeson's Beer Garden in Narrow West Street for a gig starting at 7.00pm.
Over the years Rob has played a huge variety of venues in Drogheda such as The Abbey Ballroom, The White Horse Hotel, The Penny Farthing/Joey Maher's, The Weavers, The Abbey Tavern, Brannigans, Odd Mollies and McHugh's Venue, but this is his first time playing Gleesons.
His manager, Paul Holland, is originally from Drogheda and wrote Rob's widely acclaimed biography 'Still Going Strong'. The Gleeson's gig is sponsored by Budweiser so there is NO COVER CHARGE.
After selling out recent shows , Arthur’s Blues n’ Jazz Club in Dublin, The Hot Spot Music Club in Greystones and The Royal Meath in Navan, the legend known as ‘The Godfather of Soul’ is to be honoured at a special homecoming concert in his native Derry on Sat 2nd September.
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In the 1970’s nobody in Ireland personified the raw energy of rock, blues and soul music like Rob Strong! Rob started out in the Showband era (as did Van Morrison) when he fronted the iconic Plattermen Showband from 1967 to 1974, packing out huge ballrooms all over Ireland.
Rob progressed to play in his own bands,’ Las Vegas’, ‘Rob Strong & the Rockets’ and ‘The Rob Strong Band’ right up to the present day. His son, Andrew Strong, starred as Deco Cuffe, the lead singer of the band in the worldwide smash hit movie ‘The Commitments’ in 1991.
Rob was also the vocal coach for both soundtrack albums of the iconic movie and toured with The Commitments band across the UK and Europe.
This 4 minute video (from last week's gig in Dublin 23/6/26) features one of the band's most popular songs 'TREAT HER RIGHT' from The Commitments movie.
“Rob Strong is incredibly talented. In my opinion he is the best Blues or Soul singer to ever come out of Ireland. His innate gift is his voice and his timing is incredible”
“The thing about Rob is, he’s a serious package, bass chops, voice and presence” BARRY DEVLIN (HORSLIPS) who also wrote the foreword for Rob’s biography.
“I think Rob Strong is an incredible singer, an amazing talent. I just don't understand how he hasn't become much bigger worldwide!" MARY COUGHLAN
“Rob Strong is one of the true originals” PAUL BRADY
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