Tributes paid to rocker-turned-writer, Taylor
He was a guitarist with ’80s bands such as the Rhythm Kings and had been one of the country’s most prominent music writers for more than 25 years.
His bandmate and songwriting partner, Ferdia Mac Anna (aka Rocky DeValera), announced his friend’s passing in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Richie, who lived in north Dublin, had suffered a stroke early in the summer and died in hospital.
Richie ‘Milkboy’ Taylor played in a number of bands during 1980s, most notably with the Rhythm Kings, who regrouped for gigs in recent years.
However, for the last two decades, he had made his greatest impact in print.
And he was fondly remembered as a gentleman of journalism by those who worked with him.
His move from the stage to writing took place in the late-’80s when he started a long spell with the Sunday Press.
Later on, he was entertainment editor of the Irish Sun, and more recently, wrote on a freelance basis for the Irish Examiner, The Irish Independent and worked for The Irish Daily Mirror.
Yesterday, the Mirror’s reporters and the newspaper itself paid tribute to their colleague.
X Factor judge Louis Walsh called Taylor “one of the good guys”, while Brendan O’Carroll said he had been a decent, kind family man.
Something Happens frontman and Newstalk broadcaster Tom Dunne, DJ Ian Dempsey and Hot Press writer Stuart Clark also celebrated Richie’s life — as did broadcaster and former bandmate of Richie’s, Aonghus McAnally.
Richie is survived by his wife and children.
