Sandie Jones
(09/11/1951 - 19/09/2019)
Margaret “Sandie” Jones, was a beloved Irish singer who gained international recognition for representing Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972,. Born on November 9th, 1951 to John and May Jones in Lisle Road,, Sandie was one of eleven children in a musically inclined family. She attended Rosary College and began singing at an early age, winning medals at local Feis competitions. At 15, she joined a band called The Statement and a year later joined the Monaco Showband, marking the start of her journey in the Irish music scene.
Sandie’s career took off when she joined the Royal Earls in 1968. Known for their middle-of-the-road showband style, the Royal Earls helped Sandie gain popularity. Aged 18, she has sung in English clubs and filled a short residency spot .in the famed Hammersmith Palais. In 1970, she was been signed by Bill Keating for her own TV series on RTE called Girls, Girls, Girls and was a regularly weekly guest on “Man and his music” on RTÉ. She was also a fashion model and appeared in glossy magazine and newspapers in flowing dresses and micro-minis but the strenuous life of a showband star left little time for her modelling career. By 1969, she was already recording songs and she won the Castlebar Song Contest. Her performance at the Slovene Song Festival in Yugoslavia in 1971 further showcased her talent on an international stage.
Her big break came in 1972 when she was selected to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Ceol an Ghrá” (The Music of Love). Written by Joe Burkett from Muckross Green and Liam MacUistin, the song holds the distinction of being the only entry in the history of the contest performed in the Irish language. Although Sandie’s soulful rendition only secured 15th place, “Ceol an Ghrá” became a number one hit in Ireland, solidifying her status as a national treasure. Her follow-up hit “What Do I Do?” in the same year reached number one also.
Throughout the 1970s, Sandie was a prominent figure in the Irish showband scene. She performed with several bands, including the Dixies and later formed her own band, Sandie Jones and the Boyfriends. Her performances were characterised by her emotive voice and captivating stage presence. Her debut album “Reflections of You” showcased her vocal prowess and endeared her to fans across Ireland.
By the mid-1970s, Sandie had transitioned from the ballroom scene to cabaret. Her marriage to Tony McIver, who became her manager, marked a new phase in her career. The couple moved to Abu Dhabi in the 1980s, where Sandie continued to perform before eventually settling in the United States.
In her later years, Sandie lived in Gunnison, Colorado. Despite battling cancer, she remained resilient and continued to be surrounded by the love and support of her family. She passed away on 19 September 2019. Her brother Tony Jones organised a fundraiser to fulfil her final wish of being cremated and brought back to Ireland for burial with her parents.
Sandie Jones’s legacy as a talented singer and performer is immortalised through her timeless music. She was not only a cherished figure in the Irish music scene but also a trailblazer who broke barriers with her Irish language entry at Eurovision. Her voice, once a staple on Irish airwaves, will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved her music. Margaret “Sandie” Jones will be remembered as a remarkable singer who brought joy and inspiration to many. Her contributions to Irish music, her groundbreaking Eurovision performance, and her indomitable spirit in the face of adversity make her a true icon.
