Legendary singer & Eurovision contestant Dickie Rock, 88, dies as star’s ‘back together’ with beloved wife
MUSIC fans are in mourning after showbands legend Dickie Rock sadly passed away.
The veteran performer died surrounded by family at the age of 88 today, bringing the curtain down on a glittering career in showbusiness.
The beloved singer lost his wife Judy several years ago, and previously told of his anguish after the death of his soulmate of six decades.
In a statement today, his heartbroken family expressed their relief that he has now been reunited with his life partner.
They said: “The children of Dickie Rock are saddened to confirm that he passed away peacefully today (6th December 2024).
“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.
“Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
“The family ask for privacy to grieve at this very sad time.”
Speaking today, Dickie’s manager George Hunter told The Irish Sun: “I’m absolutely devastated by this news.
“I was very honoured to manage Dickie in the last few years. He never wanted to stop” .
During Lockdown in 2020, Dickie brought joy to the nation in an Irish Sun interview, when then aged 82, he vowed to give Johnny Logan a “F**** box’ after the What’s Another Year singer claimed the 82-year-old lived in a ‘fantasy world’.
The Irish Sun front page prompted furious exchanges between fans on RTE’s Liveline and a peace deal was later brokered by host Joe Duffy, in which the two men agreed to settle their differences.
From Cabra West in Dublin, Dickie sang in a number of small groups before getting his big break in the Miami showband enjoying a number of hits before he went solo, famously competing in the Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg, performing his song Come Back to Stay.
Although he came fourth, his song climbed to number one in Ireland.
He continued to tour into his 80s until he announced his retirement at the age of 84 in 2021 after losing his hearing due to extensive touring.
HEARTBREAK
Dickie was left heartbroken two years ago when his wife passed away during the pandemic.
Judy, his wife of more than 50 years, died weeks after contracting Covid-19 in 2022 at the age of 77.
Speaking to the Irish Sun, the showbands icon told how he had to be supported by family members at her funeral.
He said: “I look around at all our beautiful children and grandchildren, all the decorations, the Christmas tree, but there is this huge absence in the room.
“I want so much for their beautiful mother to be with us this Christmas Eve.
“I’m missing my Judy. But I’m also aware of so many other people around Ireland who are missing their loved ones this Christmas. Who have been lost to Covid.
“I want them to know they are in my prayers, and I send them my love and support.
“I understand their pain and I hope they can get through this Christmas — and I hope I can too. We all will, please God.”
Crooner Dickie and Judy spent some of their happiest days together in Spain during the lockdown.