Irish singer Dickie Rock dies aged 88

Irish singer Dickie Rock has died aged 88, his family have announced.

The Dublin-born singer sang for Ireland in the 1966 Eurovision song contest, finishing fourth.

His song Come Back to Stay became a number one hit in the Republic of Ireland.

The Rock family issued a statement on Friday confirming his death.

It read: “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.”

He was also a member of the Miami Showband for a time, singing on a number of their hits.

One of them, “To Whom It Concerns”, became the signature tune of RTÉ’s flagship Friday night programme The Late Late Show.

The Miami Showband’s Stephen Travers posted on X: “I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Dickie Rock. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam [At the right hand of God was his soul].”

Miami Showband singer Des Lee said it was “very sad news,” that the band’s “lead singer has passed away”.

Irish President Michael D Higgins described him as 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,” he said.

Lord Lieutenant for Belfast, Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle, said: “For many people in the city, Dickie personified an era of more innocent times of fun, music and freedom.

“He will be much missed and greatly mourned. Requiescat in Pace.”

Rock went solo in the 1970s, although he still performed occasionally with the Miami Showband.

In 1975 three members of the band were murdered when their van was stopped by members of the loyalist paramilitary group the UVF in County Down.

Rock continued to tour well into his 80s and received a lifetime achievement award in October 2009.

He only retired from performing in 2021, at the age of 84, due to hearing problems.

Rock was predeceased by his wife Judy who died in April 2022.

In a tribute to Dickie Rock, Mark O’Brien, the executive director of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre said he was “a true rock’n’roll star”.

“As important to Ireland as Elvis was. Rest in power Dickie. Legend,” he posted on X.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

“The family ask for privacy to grieve at this very sad time,” a statement said.