Jim Hand, who died on his birthday, May 4th, aged 64, managed some of Ireland's top showbands and musical acts in a show-business career that began in the 1960s.
He was often mistaken for his identical twin brother, Michael, a former editor of the Sunday Independent, who predeceased him in 1997. Indeed, it is suggested it was just such a case of mistaken identity that led to Michael, instead of Jim, getting a start in journalism with the Argus newspaper in Dundalk. Jim Hand was born on May 4th, 1937, in Drogheda. He and his twin were the eldest of the eight children of Michael and Stella Hand, who lived at Pearse Park, Drogheda. He attended St Joseph's CBS, Drogheda, and his first job was with Drogheda Dairies, after which he moved to Cavan to work as a car salesman. There he met Mary McCabe, whom he married in 1963. They settled in Santry, Co Dublin, and finally in Raheny; they had two sons, Brian and Derek. He worked in the motor trade and with car-hire firms, later selling advertising space for The Irish Times.
In the mid-1960s, when showbands were at the height of their popularity, Jim Hand became the manager of Dermot O'Brien and the Clubmen. The band had a number one hit with The Merry Ploughboy.
Under his management, the Capitol Showband recorded Black Velvet Band, sung by Des Kelly, which became one of the
band's biggest hits. He was also behind the international success of the Furey Brothers through his inspired choice of the music-hall ballad, Sweet Sixteen, which was a hit in several countries.
The Dubliners and Paddy Reilly were among the other acts managed at various times by Jim Hand. The acts he brought from Britain to tour Ireland included Billy Connolly and Tom Jones, all of whom were taken to meet his parents. His ability to spot talent was in evidence in 1977 when, he went to see a young singer perform in a stage musical, Adam and Eve, at the State Cinema, Phibsborough, and was sufficiently impressed by the singer, Sean O'Hagan, to arrange a record deal for him. He chose the stage-name Johnny Logan for his new charge.
When a band was formed around Johnny Logan, he joined forces with another management agency to promote the act. In 1980, Johnny Logan won his first Eurovision Song Contest with What's Another Year? However, after a dispute over management of the singer he played no further part in the singer's career.
A keen follower of Gaelic games, he regularly attended matches at Croke Park with his friend and fellow-impresario, Oliver Barry. Politically, he was a staunch Fianna Fail supporter.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; and sons Brian and Derek; brothers, Dessie, Terry, Aidan and Sean; and sisters, Linda and Geraldine.
Jim Hand: born 1937; died, May 2001