Friday night Moose music. Where are they now?

The Boomtown Rats.

Probably the most recognised single by the Boomtown Rats is I don't Like Mondays. It was written after a young girl went on a shooting spree at Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, California on 29 January 1979.



The original six members of the band from Ireland were, Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette, Gerry Cott, Johnny Fingers, Garry Roberts, Simon Crowe.

They had a string of nine successful hits in the UK charts from 1977 until 1980. Eventually Bob Geldofs charity work in Africa overshadowed the band.



Just before the end of the 1981 world tour, guitarist Gerry Cott resigned from the band. The five remaining members continued on but by 1984 they were reduced to performing in universities as they were being persued by the Inland Revenue for unpaid tax debts.



The band was wound up shortly after and Crowe and Fingers went their own way to form a new band, Gung Ho.

After Gung Ho split, Fingers went to Japan and became a highly successful music producer. Crowe joined a Celtic instrumental band while also running a clock making business.

Gary Roberts co-wrote songs for Kirsty McColl before becoming employed as a gas fitter.

In 2008 Roberts and Crowe re-formed the band, but after a legal battle with Geldof, had to use the name, "The Rats". They were joined by Peter Barton, Andy Beale and Darren Hamilton.

They played at Darwen music festival in 2009 which, I imagine, would be their crowning glory of all time. They weren't bad either.