Irish country music legend Brian Coll has died at the age of 79.
The Omagh singer suffered a heart attack on Saturday in his native town and will be greatly missed by the Irish country music fraternity.
Mike Denver paid tribute to him, tweeting: "RIP Brian Coll. One of the greats. I had the great privilege of touring with Brian a few years back. A pure gentleman."
Brian Coll had a singing career that spanned more than half a century, and played with bands such as The Polka Dots and The Plattermen.
RIP Brian Coll. One of the greats. I had the great privilege of touring with Brian a few years back. A pure gentleman. 🕯 RIP pic.twitter.com/h8xLlrwqOr
— Mike Denver (@MikedenverMike) November 8, 2020
He formed The Buckaroos in 1968, and they toured bothat home and abroad, In 1969 they played New York's Carnegie Hall on a bill that included American country superstars Johnny Cash and Buck Owens.
Coll’s singing style was often compared to American country star Slim Whitman, and in 1970 he shared a stage with Whitman when he played the National Stadium in Dublin.
Father Brian D’Arcy, the famous priest who has a long association with the Irish music scene, also paid tribute on Twitter.
"Heartbroken to learn of the death of Brian Coll, a lifelong friend and world class country singer," he wrote.
