Gene and The Gents


Gene and The Gents were an Northern Irish pop showband from Enniskillen, who achieved chart success with tracks including "The Way You Wrinkle Your Nose" and "I Came As a Stranger and Stayed As a Friend" as well as "Puppet on a String".

Early years

The band was founded in 1964, with four members of the Enniskillen-based Skyrockets ; Dermot Doherty on trombone ; Pete Watson on drums and Henry McCullough on lead guitar. The band was joined by Tony Gallagher on rhythm guitar and Barry Scully on bass.
The band advertised for a lead singer and found one in Gene Chetty, a Trinity College law student, who had come over in 1962 to study law. He auditioned for the group and got the job. The Gents made their debut on St Patrick's Night, 17 March 1964 at The County Hall in Monaghan. McCullough left in 1966 and was replaced by Pete Cresswell as lead guitarist from London, who originally had played on a hit record in 1961 by Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos called "Babysitting". McDermott left in early 1968 and was replaced by Mal Kearns on tenor saxophone, vocals. Barry Scully left in early 1969, and was replaced by Davy Quinn until the band split in April 1969.

Singles