'I loved everything he ever did': Cork showband veteran and former councillor pays tribute to Dickie Rock

Tributes have been paid to Dickie Rock, a star of Ireland’s showband era, after his death at the age of 88.

Rock was a former singer with the Miami Showband and went on to enjoy a successful solo career.

The Dublin-born singer represented Ireland in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Come Back To Stay.

Rock’s wife Judy died in 2022 having contracted Covid-19.

Former county and city councillor Derry Canty, a veteran of the showband era himself, is a lifelong fan of Dickie Rock and said he found it difficult to believe that his idol had passed away.

“I loved everything he ever did, I have his LP records. I have everything that I could get hold of, Lord Have Mercy On Him, and I have another one ordered now for Christmas,” he said, pointing out that such is the demand for memorabilia of the singer from Cabra that he has to search for it outside of Ireland.

“I listen to him all the time and, it’s not boasting, but I sing all his songs, every one of them, the Candy Store, We Walked Alone.

“I could rattle off all his songs for you, I was really into him in a big way.” 

Derry, who roadied with The Michael O’Callaghan Showband himself as he grew up, said he would go to The Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney to see him as his wife, Noreen, was from the Kerry town, but he would be at any event featuring Dickie and he recalled going to see him in The Majorca in Crosshaven.

“Wherever they were, Saturday night, Dickie Rock and the Miami Showband, I was on the bus.” While Derry and other fans knew that Dickie Rock had been ill, the news of his death still came as a shock. “I had to take a deep breath because I knew he was sick and kind of going down – but Dickie being Dickie, you don’t know, he was brilliant.

“He will be a great loss to the showband scene and to the music here but his records and his memories will live forever.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Rock 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.” 

“I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Dickie Rock,” he posted on X.

President Michael D Higgins described Rock as an “iconic figure”.

“May I join with all those who have expressed their sadness on learning of the death of Dickie Rock,” he said.

“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.”