The funeral Mass of one of Ireland’s most celebrated showband singers Dickie Rock, who died last Friday aged 88, is to be held in his native Cabra, Dublin, on Thursday.
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 in a statement said he died peacefully on Friday. “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.”
President Micheal D Higgins extended his sympathies to the family and lauded Rock’s “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”.
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He was an “iconic figure and a “performer of the highest quality” Mr Higgins said.
Tributes were posted on social media site X, with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin describing Rock as “an iconic performer who charmed and entertained generations” and a “gentleman loved by many”.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said he was a “thorough gentleman. He made a generation dance and sing. He made people happy.”
RTÉ presenter John Creedon described the singer as one of the “smoothest crooner ever to grace a stage”.
Broadcaster Aonghus McAnally said Rock was “the first real Irish superstar to emerge from the music scene”.
Born in Dublin’s north inner city, 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.
His funeral Mass, which will be broadcast online, takes place in the Church of the Most Precious Blood, Cabra at 10.15am.
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