When The Dubliners came to the Leas Cliff Hall on Monday, September 19, 1977, two key ingredients were missing.

Two of the four founders, Ronnie Drew and Ciaran Bourke had left in 1974, leaving behind Luke Kelly and Barney McKenna.

On stage that night in Folkestone with them were John Sheahan and Jim McCann.

The folk group’s success had been built around Drew and Kelly as lead singers.

But while the unique gravelly, nasal voice of Drew was gone, audiences were able to still enjoy the powerful, clear voice of Kelly, who was considered one of the finest folk singers of the 20th century. Bourke had to retire in 1974 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Until then, the group had for years been a quintet and he was kept on full pay and never replaced until he died in 1988.

The Dubliners, named after the James Joyce book, had made their name internationally in the previous decade with songs such as Black Velvet Band and Seven Drunken Nights.

Apart from the quality of the vocals, the group’s strengths were some particularly catchy tunes from traditional Irish songs. One was Whiskey in the Jar, made famous in 1971 by fellow Irishmen Thin Lizzy.

The band enjoyed a top 20 hit again in 1987 when the joined The Pogues on The Irish Rover.

All four who founded The Dubliners in 1962 are now gone.

The last to die was McKenna, suddenly in April 2012 when he was 72. The group still existed with new members and carried on a final tour for The Dubliners in the wake of his death.

Surviving members continue to tour as The Dublin Legends.

Rock of Ages - a look back at the biggest names in music to play in Folkestone - is in the Folkestone & Hythe Express every week.

Were you there to see The Dubliners in 1977 or remember a particular gig in Folkestone? Join the comments below or email folkestoneexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk