[1] Based in Ilford, Essex, England,[1] the group had work that was mostly limited to theatres and hotels because the three youngest members were still at school and therefore not allowed to perform in pubs.
They appeared in variety shows alongside popular entertainers such as Bob Monkhouse, Frankie Howerd, Norman Collier and Anne Shelton.
Following their move north, most of the gigs were booked by Jim and Bob (who spent their evenings visiting working men's clubs, selling the act).
At that time, major agents were not interested in this kind of family group, and it took a lot of work on the band's part to convince them otherwise.
Eventually, they signed a management deal with Ken Wild; he introduced them to drummer Alan Bogan, who joined the group.
Back home in 1975, the Dooleys (as they had now become) recorded the theme tune for an adult educational programme on BBC Television called On the Move, which featured Bob Hoskins.
[citation needed] A string of hits followed with varying degrees of success, and they travelled around Europe and the Far East as one of the busiest live acts around.
They were replaced by a succession of other musicians such as: drummer Paul Dean, bassist Phil Brown and keyboard player, David John Hinson.
In recent years, the Dooley brothers (Jim, John, Joe and Frank) have recorded a collection of new songs, which was released early in 2007.
In 2012, Helen, Anne and Bob (now living in Somerset West near Cape Town, South Africa), performed as a band called Shiraz.