Red Hurley has revealed his life was under threat when he sang for Ireland at Eurovision.
The Dublin-born crooner who represented us in 1976 with his song “When” recalled his “crazy” time ahead of performing at the Hague in Holland.
Brian ‘Red’ Hurley, 76, told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “Behind the scenes it was a bit crazy.
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“At the time the British and Irish thing was going on with the IRA.
“So we had to have extra security which meant they had to move us from the hotel where most of the artists were staying.
“So we had to go to another hotel.”
A karate expert was flown in by RTE for fear of an attack on the singer’s life.
The Love is All singer continued: “They employed a guy from Ireland who was a black belt karate professional.
“He was there minding me all the time.”
Red took the dangerous scenario in his stride.
He added: “I felt secure with RTE when they sent this fella over.
“What will be will be is my motto.”
The showband great said on the upside he learnt combat tips after the contest.
He said: “When we came home I took up karate lessons from the guy.
“He was great, he’s dead, God Rest his Soul.”
Tight security meant the rising star missed out on the Eurovision fanfare.
He said: “Because of the situation we were in, we weren’t allowed to get involved, we had to stay indoors, we had a nice suite in fairness.”
Red never got to meet his adoring fans.
He quipped: “I didn’t see too many of them.
“There were fans galore though, they seemed to know everyone and everything about us.”
The accomplished singer who has recorded over 500 songs from the 70s to present day insisted the Eurovision is not what it once was.
He said: “It’s all changed and there’s nothing we can do about it.
“Some parts you admire and others you don’t, but we’re all led and fed by what we think is fashionable at the time.” Red, who had a string of number ones with The Nevada in the 70s said Ireland needs to get back to good songwriting to win Eurovision.
He said: “It’s the gimmicky part of it that’s killing it for Ireland.
“We probably think we need to do this or that but it was always a failing as far as I was concerned.
“People should just be trying to create a good song, very well arranged and produced with the right people.
“I don’t mean a solo singer out the front on his own, that was the thing at the time.
“But we have the propensity to do a lot. We should go over what we did years ago and see what worked, then try to adjust it to match today’s formula.”
He wishes our 2023 entry the best of luck.
He added: “I believe the Wild Youth guys are great, the best of luck to them and I hope they win.”
“When” was written by Brendan Graham who also wrote “You Raise Me Up”, a huge hit for Westlife and Josh Groban.
The dad-of-two said he would be honoured if Westlife did a cover version of “When”, quipping: “Oh absolutely I’d be delighted.”
Best known as a Showband singer, Red went solo in the 70s, and said back then Louis Walsh was a clever wheeler dealer. He said: “Louis Walsh worked for Tommy Hayden Enterprises, one of the most successful companies in the 80s.
“In the 90s Louis branched away from all that and he got involved with the likes of Boyzone and Westlife.
“He had the Midas touch in fairness to him, but he worked very hard.
“When he was a young fella he was a real go-getter.
“He worked in our office, you see, he’d book anybody who could make him a few pound.
“He still does that.”
Hurley’s first marriage to model Patricia Ward ended in the mid 90s.
He wed his second wife, dancer Norma who he met at one of his shows. He said: “Norma’s a lot younger than me.” Eighteen years his junior, he conceded that his wife keeps him on the straight and narrow these days.
He added: “When we were younger we all gave it a lash, plenty of Guinness and red wine.
“Now I just have a glass.
“Norma is a good influence on me.”
The singer does not believe in regrets.
Red said: “Regret is a strong word, I’ve made mistakes, you do what you do and there’s nothing you can do about it now.”
His secret to longevity in the business is pure graft. He explained: “It’s not hard work for me to sing, that’s a piece of cake, the hard work is getting there.
“Making sure nobody messes up and getting ready for a decent journey there and
back.”
Singing for TV star Oprah Winfrey and befriending the late great civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, are career highs.
He revealed: “Maya was such a lovely human being, with brains to burn, highly intelligent.
“She knew everything and was brilliant for advice, even presidents had her advising them. I sang for Oprah. Oprah is a lovely person, she’s so down to Earth.”
Hurley never felt nervous singing for the world’s number one chat show host.
He joked: “Why would you be nervous singing for nice ladies in the audience.”
The iconic singer was speaking to us ahead of his concerts in aid of
the Capuchin Centre for the
Homeless.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it, they do a wonderful job.
“I know Brother Kevin who runs the centre for donkey’s years, he’s a bit of a Saint walking around, he’s no time for bulls******s.
“He just wants the job done.”
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