The band was formed shortly after the release of the film, which itself was based on the Roddy Doyle novel of the same name. Since 1993 The Stars From The Commitments have toured extensively across Canada, USA, South America, Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Original Cast members: guitarist Kenneth McCluskey Aka Derek "The Meat Man" Scully, Piano Player Michael Aherne Aka "Steven The Soul Surgeon" Clifford, Ronan Dooney, Trumpet. The following members: Plus Sean Curtis (lead vocals), Andreas Nolan (bass), Sandra Hyland and Antoinette Dunleavy (lead & backing vocals), Abraham Hampton (keyboards & Organ), Carl Cliffton (Drums) and Serge Stavila – Saxophone, joined later.[1]
Their open air concert at the Party in the Park in São Paulo, Brazil were attended by over 100,000 people where they were performing with legendary blues guitarist and singer B. B. King.[2] The soundtracks to the Alan Parker film such as In The Midnight Hour, Try a Little Tenderness and Mustang Sally have sold over 12 million copies.[3]
The original members of the group Dick Massey and Kenneth McCluskey have formed their own band called "The Commitments".[4]
After the film's success Andrew Strong, the lead singer, performed with Elton John, Bryan Adams, Ray Charles and The Rolling Stones, and signed a solo record deal with MCA Records. He continued touring and lives in Denmark.[5]
