The much-loved Irish singer Dickie Rock has died aged 88, his family have announced.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued by his family on Friday evening.
"His children, Jason, John, Richard, Sarah Jane and Peter, will miss him very much," the statement read.
"Dickie lost his beloved Judy in 2022 and they are now together again, and that is of some comfort to the family."
Funeral arrangements are to be announced in the coming days.
President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to Dickie Rock, saying that he was an iconic figure in the showband music scene.
"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," President Higgins said.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was "saddened" to hear of Rock's passing and said he was "a gentleman loved by many".
"Saddened to learn of the passing of Dickie Rock, an iconic performer who charmed and entertained generations," he posted on X.
"The end of an era stretching from Eurovision and the Miami Showband in the 60s until modern times.
"A gentleman loved by many. My condolences to his family and friends."
Saddened to learn of the passing of Dickie Rock, an iconic performer who charmed and entertained generations.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 6, 2024
The end of an era stretching from Eurovision and the Miami Showband in the 60s until modern times.
A gentleman loved by many. My condolences to his family and friends. https://t.co/MZXun5FwHV
Stephen Travers, from the Miami Showband, expressed his sadness at Rock's death.
"I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Dickie Rock," he posted on X.
I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Dickie Rock. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/dn6bzGNffk
— Stephen Travers (@MiamiShowband) December 6, 2024
RTÉ Radio 1 presenter Joe Duffy described Rock as a "true Irish superstar".
He wrote on X: "Had the pleasure of being in his company and interviewing the legend so many times. A true Irish superstar when we badly needed them. He brought colour, joy and music to a grey Ireland."
Dickie Rock R.I.P. Had the pleasure of being in his company and interviewing the legend so many times. A true Irish superstar when we badly needed them. He brought colour , joy and music to a grey Ireland. From the candy store on the corner to the chapel on the hill , a legend. pic.twitter.com/rSrZde11mz
— JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) December 6, 2024
Dickie Rock was unquestionably Ireland's first pop superstar. During his time with the Miami Showband, he enjoyed more than a dozen hit records with songs such as Georgie Porgie, Every Step of the Way and From The Candystore on the Corner.
One of their hits, To Whom It Concerns, became the signature tune of RTÉ The Late Late Show.
With a massive fanbase spread all across the country, Dickie and the Miami were a hugely popular live act, filling ballrooms and venues wherever they played, with female fans often replicating the hysterics of Beatlemania.
As a result of countless cries from audiences, the phrase 'Spit on me Dickie!' became part of Irish folklore.
Dickie Rock represented Ireland at the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest with Come Back to Stay. He entered the contest as a solo artist and finished joint fourth, tied with Belgium. Inevitably, the song became a number-one hit in Ireland.
Mr Rock went solo in the 1970s, although he still performed occasionally with the Miami Showband.
He continued to tour well into his eighties and received a lifetime achievement award in October 2009. It wasn't until 2021, at the age of 84, that he retired from performing due to hearing problems.
Born on October 10, 1936, on Dublin's North Strand, he grew up in Cabra, where he first developed a name for himself as a singer.
Mr Rock was predeceased by his wife Judy Rock (née Murray), who died in April 2022 after contracting COVID-19. A devoted husband, Dickie was grief-stricken at his loss.
He is survived by his children Jason, John, Richard, Sarah Jane and Peter.
