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LAST UPDATE | 6 Dec 2024
IRISH SHOWBAND SINGER Dickie Rock has died aged 88, his family has announced.
Rock experienced much success on the Irish charts during the 1960s, coming fourth in the 1966 Eurovision with the song Come Back To Stay, which became a hit in Ireland.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued by them this evening.
“His children, Jason, John, Richard, Sarah Jane and Peter will miss him very much,” the statement says.
“Dickie lost his beloved Judy in 2022 and they are now together again, and that is of some comfort to the family.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days, and the family has asked for privacy.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin paid tribute to the singer, describing Rock as “a gentleman loved by many”.
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
Between 1963 and 1972, Rock was one of the frontmen of the Miami Showband. He had 13 top ten hits with them, including seven number ones.
Years after his departure, in 1975, three of the band members were killed in what became known as the Miami Showband massacre, in which the Ulster Volunteer Force – loyalist paramilitaries – targeted a mini bus they were travelling in.
Rock continued to tour independent of the band into his 80s, until he announced his retirement at the age of 84 in 2021.
Sad to hear that Dickie Rock has passed away this evening. Dickie was good enough to perform at our 150th anniversary in 2012. #RIP #DickieRock pic.twitter.com/VuDHTT1foF
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) December 6, 2024
Liveline presenter Joe Duffy took to X to remember “superstar” Rock.
“Had the pleasure of being in his company and interviewing the legend so many times,” said Duffy.
“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.”
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An absolute legend, whose likes we’ll never see again. RIP Dickie.
@Ian Cunningham: he is up there with the rat pack now
Ah, the end of an era.
As a kid I remember huge crowds quing outside the Arcadia in Cork for tickets to the Big event…… Dickie Rock & the Miami Showband….. used to sell out 3/4nights straight. A hugely charismatic & talented performer. Thanks for the music.
R.I.P. Dickie Rock
Good soul. Fair play to him.
R.I. P.
Wonderful entainer for years always had the crowds sweating. What a icon sadly will be missed.Condolences to family and many loyal fans.
Very sad news. A home grown legend of his time. R.I.P..
Sad news indeed,such a wonderful talented entertainer from an era of legendary performers,and of course a true blue Dub too.
@Patrick Westman: of course …. Dublin. Was that necessary?
@Guy: Well Roy Orbinson was from Texas,Elvis was from Tupelo,Big Tom Oram and Dickie was from Cabra.Its just a fact, sometimes relevant and sometimes not.
@Guy: Yeah it was. Sometimes it’s ok to be proud of where you come from and what comes from there.
When legends were legends. RIP Dickie.
RIP Dickie and condolences to your Family
Enjoyed him in my young days
Rest in peace
RIP Dickie, may heaven be your bed
RIP Dickie ..an absolute legend and gentleman.
Great entertainer, brings back many sixties memories RIP Dickie
R.I.P Dickie . Back with your beloved wife Judy !
@Muriel Ryan: She will probably turn in her grave
@Muriel Ryan: Anyone remember Dicky in the Pavilion – Blackrock- brilliant nights. Thanks for the good times. RIP.
@New Boy: Sicko
@New Boy: ????
@Vincent Alexander: in Dundalk? My parents and uncles certainly do and we were talking about those days only last week. Crowds of people waiting to get in.
@Teetotal4now: Yes – your Dad must have got the “pluck”. Asked out for lady’s choice.
Spit on me Dickie. You need to be old enough to understand that. What a legend rip
@ann Basquille:
LOL. I thought nobody was going to say it !
@ann Basquille: I’m in the third Row .
@ann Basquille: flapsgerbil
End of an era won’t see the likes of him again unfortunately RIP Dickie a true Dub and cabra man
@Alan Moloney:
RIP Dickie Rock.
A Cabra West & All Cabra Legend.
Come back to stay in our memory, Every step of the way from the candy store on the corner to the chapel on the Hill.
Rest easy
When I was young in courtowen my parents always went to see Dickie in the holiday inn I used to hate it but then I got a bit older and I loved seen him in the submarine bar. Rip Dickie thanks for the memories
@Nikki Swift: The submarine, that’s some memories right there .
@Regular John: I was only a child when the ‘ old sub’ was there but I have memories been in it with my nanny and grandad. I drank in the new sub when it was open but they made it to big it could never last
RIP
One of the singers that I used to love listening to as a young lad with my father. R.I.P Dickie Rock, you will be sorely missed.
Another one of our era stars that we danced to in our youth and innocence,I’m now 86 and still enjoying life,went to Jive classes recently.Go ndéana DÍA tróchaire ar a hanaim.!!!!!!!
An amazing star and amazing man. Devastated to hear this. He and his wife are now together. RIP
Farewell Dickie ,sorry to see you go..
What about Stacey Kehoe? The poor woman was his child too but he ignored her for most of her life. My mam loves Dickie Rock but as soon as I found out he ignored his child, I couldn’t show any respect for him. I’m sure lots of people will miss him but he wasn’t that nice of a person in “real life”
@Jennifer Kennedy: Couldn’t agree more. Shameful.
I worked in a garage many years ago, this man came in and asked “Could I get a puncture sorted ?” I told him “Yeah you’ll have to see the manager” and showed him where to go. I turned to a mate of mine exclaiming “Jasus, yer man is the spit of Dicky Rock”……”That’s because he is Dicky Rock”
Journal folk showing their age
@Dan The Man: and what are you showing?
@Dan The Man: you’re showing no class
@Dan The Man: I was thinking that…my mam went to see him so I reckon this lot have 20 plus year’s on me…probably why they’re all cantankerous
@Clare Power: Ageist & classless. Grow up Clare
@Sean O’Callaghan: How is my comment ageist? Judging from the comments I’m not in the same age bracket….a simple statement…back to the nursing home for you.
@Clare Power: Hope you’re not on duty on my return. I’d say you’re some Wanderly Wagon.
Great man
I can vaguely remember my gran saying ‘ spit on me Dickie’ a bit weird but I still remember it
Was full sure he was dead years ago
Legend is a bit much to be bandied about.
Well known figure
Tbe showbands were essentially bad cover bands
Teemu Elvis
Dickie.
I remember dickie rock when I was growing up, he certainly made an impact on the showband era, he was dynamic a beautiful singer in a class of his own, even into his later years he was class.
Long live the king. Your simply the best.
My Mam’s favourite song ‘From the Candy store round the corner’ Watch out Dickie she will be calling for a duet.
Dickie Rock was a favourite of my Mam and Dad his music filled our house.
Dickie and a small backing group came out to sing for our soldiers when I was serving in Lebanon in 1992 he was brought out to an outpost in a village where I was posted .
Due to the security situation at the time
I never got to hear him sing during his trip but had a great chat with him and he was a true gentleman, great Craic, real down to earth, just like one of the lads
R.I.P. Dickie and thanks for the great memories
Truly the end of an era , am I the only one who deeply regrets that our kids and grandkids never experienced that showband era .The shiny suits ,the autographed photos ,the whole ritual of it .Then the heartbreak of the Miami Massacre ,losing Larry Cunningham ,Sean Dunphy and many others I missed . Dickie had a long life but it’s still awful sad .I still know every single word of Candy Store .
Spit on me, Dickie. A true legend.
RIP.
But who will be the first mickeywomble or weeweepuffin to try the “spit on me, dickie” for likes? Dungibbon.
Come back to stay, Dickie
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