LOCAL band ‘Rosetta Stone’ will be rocking in the old jailhouse in Downpatrick as the well known group are coming together for a special  occasion. They have confirmed that they will perform at Down County Museum on Saturday 14th May to join in the celebrations of the Museum’s 30th birthday.
Back in 1981, ‘Rosetta Stone’ entertained the crowds when the Museum was first opened to the public, so an appearance to mark the museum’s 30th birthday on 14th May will be reminiscent for many, bringing back good memories of the early 80’s. This event is one of thousands of ‘Museum Night’ events going on all over Europe over the weekend of May 13th-15th, and marks 30 years of our own museum’s history.
[caption id="attachment_23662" align="alignleft" width="508" caption="Rosetta Stone will be playing at the Down County Museum to mark the 30th birthday of the museum. "]
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For the members of ‘Rosetta Stone’ it all started in 1973 when brothers Damian, Terry and Colin McKee formed a band called ‘Young City Stars’ with a friend, Ian Mitchell. They played local clubs and dance halls and quickly became popular, often opening concerts for the Bay City Rollers. Young City Stars added guitarist Andy LeGear from Belfast, and Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton noticed their talents and became their manager. They changed the name to ‘Rosetta Stone’ in 1977 and signed with Private Stock Records later that year.
Their first album, “Rosetta Stone” was released in the United States in May 1978. “Rock Pictures”, the Japanese and UK release of that same album was also released in 1978. A second album, “Caught in the Act” was released in 1979. In early 1979 Ian Mitchell left and was replaced by Paul Lerwill. Paul left in the early 80’s and was replaced by Enda Walsh. The tracks “Hiding from Love”, “Remember” and “Straight from the Heart”, were all penned by Bryan Adams. “Hiding From Love”, which had previously been a number 64 hit in Canada for Adams in 1980, became a bigger hit for Rosetta Stone, where it reached number 46 in Canada in 1982.
There have been a number of Rosetta Fests (reunions) where the band has performed together again, the last big one being in Toronto in September 2007. So the band’s appearance at Down County Museum on 14th May is a must for local fans of the band and anyone who remembers their flight to fame in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
Tickets can be purchased in advance, or at the door, for £10, and a bar will be available on the night. Please contact Down County Museum for more details on 028 4461 5218.]]>
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