Promoter Jim Aiken dies

Leading Northern Ireland concert promoter Jim Aiken has died, it was announced tonight.

The man best know for staging the series of open air concerts in the ground of Stormont in recent years, was 74 and died after a short illness.

Born in Jonesborough, Co Armagh he spent three and a half years studying for the priesthood and taught in a Belfast primary school before being drawn towards showbusiness.

He went into promoting Irish show bands in his 20s but went on to travel the world encouraging top stars to perform in the North.

During the decades of the troubles it was Aiken who managed to attract international entertainers such as Charlie Pride and Neil Diamond to perform in Belfast.

Married with four daughters and a son, he was close friends with many of those who performed in his shows in the North, including Bruce Springsteen and Sir Cliff Richard.

But it was the free open air summer concerts in the grounds of Stormont in the wake of the Good Friday peace agreement for which he will be best remembered. Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart, rock band the Eagles and tenor Luciano Pavarotti all answered his call to perform.

Riverdance star Michael Flatley paid tribute: “Jim was just a straight shooter. He was like a father figure to me – I loved that man.”

Journalist and broadcaster Eamon Mallie, a close friend for 30 years, said: “He kept the light burning in Belfast at a time when the walls were falling down around the place.

“Primarily he was a businessman but he was passionate about what he did and was a moral compass for all who knew him.

“He was one of the most modest men I knew and never sought the limelight – he was the sort of guy who always stood at the back of the hall.

“His one big regret in life was that he never brought Elvis to Belfast.”