The Molly Maguires have been a La Crosse Rock ‘n Roll band since 1966! Their active years were 1966 through 1970 and then 1992 to present.
Band members are:
- Art McClure – lead guitar & vocals
- Dirk Weber – bass guitar & vocals
- Eric Hartwig – drums & vocals
- Jim Davison – keyboard & vocals
When they first started out they’d play music in Art’s parent’s basement or the Bass player’s basement. Art’s mom, a Juliard trained classical pianist, “helped” Jim learn Ray Manzarek’s iconic intro to Light My Fire on her baby grand.
The band learned songs by listening to Lindy Shannon’s box of 45’s that he played on his Saturday night radio show – they played the 45 on a record player over and over again to learn the music and lyrics. They became a member of Lindy Shannon’s syndicate of local bands after auditioning at one of Ma Shorty’s legendary Sunday Jam Sessions at the top of Irish Hill on the corner of HWY 33 and County F.
The Molly Maguires played high school dances, homecomings, proms, Your Uncle’s Place, The Varsity Club & other area bars, teen tents, 4th of July parade on a flat bed truck, The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Iowa, Oktoberfests, Holmen Korn Fest, 50th 1968 Class Reunion La Crosse Central, 100th Anniversary Celebration for The Wolfe Eye ClinicWe opened for Archie Bell and the Drells at the Varsity and Milwaukee’s Gentrys at the Mary E Sawyer Auditorium.
Since 1992 they’ve played each and every Lindy Show and they closed the 30th Anniversary Show at the Moose Club.
See you all the evening of Tuesday, July 23 at 6:30 in Dash-Park for some great acoustic music!