When Aslan lost Christy

ASLAN are the musical equivalent of Lazarus. It’s hard to think of a band that has faced down so many obstacles over the years – and lived to tell the tale.

When it was revealed last year that Christy Dignam was fighting cancer, it once again threw the band into turmoil – professionally and personally. The latest crisis was by far the most serious to hit the band yet. This wasn’t just about taking the band off the road – it was a matter of life and death.

Aslan fans are rejoicing at the news that the band is now preparing for a comeback gig at the Olympia Theatre on May 31, with a new single also imminent. At the height of Christy’s health battle last year, some feared they would never see the band play live together again, let alone go back into a recording studio.

But history has shown that you can never write-off Aslan.

On joining Northside People in January 1989, one of my first acts was to introduce a music page into the paper to connect with our younger readers. Within weeks I had landed my first scoop in the form of an exclusive interview with the remaining members of Aslan.

Fans of the Finglas band were shocked in 1988 when, at the peak of their success, Dignam split from the band due to his well-publicised battle with heroin addiction. The remaining members of the band attempted to carry on without him, recruiting singer Eamon Doyle.

I interviewed the ‘new’ Aslan in early 1989 ahead of a comeback show in the SFX. When we met in their management office near the Ha’penny Bridge, they were full of enthusiasm and praise for Eamon, who certainly looked the part of rock singer.

However, it was hard to believe that they could carry on without Christy Dignam who was such an integral part of Aslan’s sound. In their heart of hearts, somehow I don’t think even they believed it would work.

The band trundled on for a while before splitting, going on to gig as The Precious Stones, while Christy formed Dignam and Goff.

Aslan eventually reunited with Dignam in 1993 for what was supposed to be a one-off appearance in Finglas. That now legendary South Band Show made them all realise that they still had the magic when they played together. Shortly after that, hit single ‘Crazy World’ led the band on the road to years of success.

As the band enters another new phase in 2014, we can only marvel at their resilience. The Olympia gig will be their most triumphant comeback yet.