The Duskeys

Formed after the break-up of Sandy Kelly's (real name Philomena Ellis) touring showband The Fairways, she recruited her sister Barbara Ellis and Welsh cousin Nina Duskey. In 1980, they released their debut single, "Don't Feel Like Dancing". In 1981 they competed in the Irish national finals for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Where Does That Love Come From" under the name The Duskey Sisters. They finished in third place.

A year later, they tried again and recruited a male member, Nina's brother, Dan Duskey. They performed the song "Here Today Gone Tomorrow" and this time, won the contest. This earned themselves a place in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest and with 49 points, they came in eleventh position.[3][4] The song was heavily reworked for its single release and became a hit on the Irish charts, reaching No.12.[5]

The group followed this up with the singles "Our Love is Slippin' Away" and "We Got Love" and they toured Ireland for the next two years. In late 1983, the group were involved in a road accident while on tour which effectively ended the group.[1]

The following year, Sandy Kelly launched a successful solo career, scoring a number of hits on the Irish charts, including two singles she recorded with Johnny Cash.[5] She continues to tour under this name (Kelly is her married name), largely focusing on country music.

As Michael Palace, Dan Duskey later fronted the group Palace that finished 5th in the 1986 A Song For Europe contest in the UK with the song "Dancing With You Again".[6] Dan Duskey is now a pastor in the Elim Pentecostal Church, Bristol, under the name Simon Foster.