I remember travelling on the Arrow train up to Dublin on Saturdays from Kildare when I was 16, to see a couple of mates play an afternoon/evening gig in some dive like the Red Box (before they did it up) or Frazers on O’ Connell Street. It was at these gigs, I became aware of a peculiar character organising the whole thing, who was little bit strange, a little bit eccentric, a little bit mysterious.
It turned out he was Aidan Walsh – Master of the Universe, a man who was famous in the 80’s, who recorded albums on the back of the fastest record deal ever in this country, appeared on Irish TV regularly, had a film made about him and who rode into Virgin Megastore on the Quays on a white horse (apparently). You’d see him walking around taking pictures of bands in venues wearing a baseball cap sporting massive sideburns. Rumour has it, the guy has tonnes of video footage of now famous Irish bands in their early years playing his showcase gigs. We all love a bit of myth. Aidan Walsh is one of Dublin’s true originals.
If anyone has a copy of the Shimmy Marcus film, do get in touch as i’ve never seen it. We can share it around. Similiarly, I’m sure some of you have stories about Aidan, do tell.
Here’s Aidan singing Hokey Cokey in Clifford’s Antiques on Aungier Street.
Masters of the Universe film trailer/clip.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
Always see Aidan around town. Used to see him around Christchurch etc but lately have seen him taking photos at the Button Factory. In fact, he was there at the launch of the venue taking photos of people and again at the Jameson Film Festival launch.
I am old enough to remember his mega smash ‘The Cummlunatic Games’, who said the 80’s were naff?
‘Master of the Universe, Emperor of the Eagles’
I have a video copy of the documentary that was on RTE a few years back if thats what your on about Niall? I’ll have a root around later.
Great documentary….i went to the premiere in the IFC. We were greeted at the door by Aidan in full royal regalia (crown n all!).
If anyone’s got a copy of his ‘Community Games’ album it’s worth a few quid 😉
Choice quote from the movie section of the site “from the anals of Dublins” 😀 Very interesting to see Paddy Dunning talking about getting his intial ‘break’ with Aidan…and interesting to compare their careers since….
I think he’s been taking photos at the last few big boxing bouts at the National Stadium. Right there ringside and in the ring afterwards! Either that or it was all a glorious dream… Next thing I knew they were lifting me up and raisin’ me arms in the air…
Howdy Niall,
I’ve got it on video if you want.
It’s life-affirming stuff.
[quote post=”1080″]I think he’s been taking photos at the last few big boxing bouts at the National Stadium. Right there ringside and in the ring afterwards! Either that or it was all a glorious dream… Next thing I knew they were lifting me up and raisin’ me arms in the air…
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jmc said[/quote]
yep, saw him at andy lee’s last fight(on the telly). met the man on the set of ‘becoming jane’. fun guy
I’ve seen the movie at a few film festivals.
It’s very touching.
Top, top man our Aidan
I took photos at some of Aidans gigs in the Redbox!! The eagle has landed!!! I remember one of the first bands i took pics of were called Linus? i think. They were a Deftones tribute act anyway. Ropey :S
I think Laser on George’s St have a copy of the documentary to rent, they’ve the cover of it stuck up on the wall behind the counter anyways.
I remember Aidan when I was a spotty teen discovering the Dublin music scene. Many times over lunch he told me of his plans to build an underground city with moving pavements under Temple Bar and his own airline. I still think he might do it.
I once cooked him chilli chicken and mistakenly put far too much chilli in. It was inedible and I couldn’t do more than a mouthful. Despite being in obvious pain he ate the whole thing out of politeness. Anyone with mutton chops that big is okay in my books.
Our first band did one of his showcases in the Red Box, the only way we could get away from him and to stop him trying to book us again was for the lads to tell him I had been killed in a freak amp falling accident and that they were forming a new band in my memory called “The Trace Elliot Band”. It worked! Absolute living legend though!
hahaha!
I was in linus!
thats fucking hilarious.
and yes we were well ropey..
Ha ha, Loreana shot Linus! I knew I recognised the name! Gav, you were young then no? Who else was inm the band with you?