Showband singer and former Eurovision contestant for Ireland Dickie Rock has died at the age of 88.
He was one of the biggest stars of Ireland’s popular showband scene as a member of the Miami Showband and later as a solo artist, with a career spanning seven decades.
His family confirmed his death in a statement on Friday evening.
“The children of Dickie Rock are saddened to confirm that he passed away peacefully today (6th December 2024). His children, Jason, John, Richard, Sarah Jane and Peter will miss him very much. Dickie lost his beloved Judy in 2022 and they are now together again, and that is of some comfort to the family,” the statement said. “Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days. The family ask for privacy to grieve at this very sad time.”
[ Dickie Rock: ‘Having a one night stand doesn’t mean you don’t love your wife’Opens in new window ]
In 1966, Rock competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg, performing his song Come Back to Stay. Although he came fourth, his song climbed to number one in Ireland. Other well-known hits included Back Home Again and Every Step Of The Way.
He departed the Miami Showband and pursued a solo career several years before the Miami Showband massacre during the Troubles in July 1975. The band was targeted as they travelled home to Dublin following a gig when they were stopped at a bogus checkpoint outside Newry, Co Down. A fake army patrol which attempted to hide a bomb on the tour bus before the device exploded prematurely, killing some of the would-be bombers. Their accomplices then opened fire on the band, murdering lead singer Fran O’Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian McCoy.
[ Around the Clock: 2005 Shane Hegarty interview with Dickie RockOpens in new window ]
Rock continued to tour into his 80s until he announced his retirement at the age of 84 in 2021. Speaking to The Irish Times in 2017, the then-78-year-old said his love of touring had never ended. “I love it, I love going on stage, singing and performing, I just love it, I feel privileged to be able to still go on stage and do it.
“It is a drug ... I’m addicted to the audience. The applause, the look when you’re singing a nice song,” he said.
Originally born in the North Strand, Co Dublin, Rock grew up in Cabra. Judy, his wife of more than 50 years, died weeks after contracting Covid-19 in 2022 at the age of 77. The couple had six children, the eldest of which, Joseph, died in the 1990s.
In 2017, reflecting on his life and career, Rock said: “I’m very satisfied with the life I’ve had.”
President Michael D Higgins described Rock as an “iconic performer”.
“The showband period in Irish popular culture made a huge contribution to the history of Irish music, and indeed to that of Britain where many of the showbands toured during Lent as ballrooms in Ireland closed.
“The major showbands such as the Miami Showband produced star performers, of whom Dickie Rock was an iconic figure.
“A performer of the highest quality, Dickie Rock’s popularity, both in the Miami Showband and as a solo artist, was such that he remained a hugely popular entertainer through succeeding generations.
“May I extend my deepest sympathies to Dickie’s children Jason, John, Richard, Sarah Jane and Peter, and to all of his family, friends and many fans throughout Ireland and abroad.”
RTÉ presenter John Creedon meanwhile described the Dubliner as one of the “smoothest crooner ever to grace a stage”.
In a post on X, Stephen Travers of the Miami Showband said: “I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Dickie Rock. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was saddened to learn of the passing of the “iconic performer who charmed and entertained generations”. “The end of an era stretching from Eurovision and the Miami Showband in the 60s until modern times. A gentleman loved by many,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Joe Duffy described him as a “true Irish superstar” who brought “colour, joy and music to a grey Ireland”.
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