How Kerry's Bill Fuller built a global music empire

A new film, "Have You Never Heard of Bill Fuller?", profiles Kerry music promoter Bill Fuller, whose transatlantic venue empire helped modernize Irish live music by defying Church-imposed restrictions. Fuller built dancehalls in Britain, Ireland, and the US, hosting acts like Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Stan Kenton. His venues included San Francisco's Carousel Ballroom, later Fillmore West, Dublin's McGonagles, and London's Electric Ballroom. The film opens at the IFI in Dublin on 7 August and screens across Ireland in September and October. It highlights his defiance of Catholic controls, including dancing during Lent.