Famous faces mourn Dickie Rock at showband star's funeral
The remains of Dickie Rock arrive in a Rolls Royce hearse at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Dublin. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
The funeral for showband legend Dickie Rock heard he would have been "delighted to see a full house for his last gig” at a packed church in Dublin's Cabra where he grew up.
A host of music and entertainment stars gathered in Dublin for the funeral of the singer following his death earlier this month at the age of 88.
He was considered by many to be Ireland’s first pop superstar. During his time with the Miami Showband, Mr Rock enjoyed more than a dozen hit records with songs such as George Porgy, Every Step of the Way and From The Candystore on the Corner.
He also represented Ireland in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Come Back To Stay.
His funeral took place this morning at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Cabra West, an area where Mr Rock grew up.
One of his friends, Fr Brian D'Arcy led the funeral service and told mourners that the singer was the "ultimate professional".
He said the only thing his friend wanted to do in his life was make people happy and he had used his voice given to him by God to do that.
"Dickie would bound out over the place and throw the microphone from one hand to the other and he would flick into one song, the whole place would be dancing, diving and jumping, and worries would be forgotten for at least two hours,” he said.
The singer had six children, one of whom Joseph, predeceased him.
Dickie's son, Peter recalled the grief his father went through after Joseph's death all the while try to support the rest of the family though theirs. However, her said his father had been left devastated by the loss of his wife Judy, the love of his life.
A number of Irish stars were in attendance at the funeral, including fellow showband star Ronan Collins, musician and presenter Aonghus McAnally and former Miami Showband members Murty Quinn and Ray Millar.
Mr Rock's former manager George Hunter, musician Finbar Furey, Liveline host Joe Duffy and former TD Donie Cassidy were also in attendance.
President Michael D Higgins, who was represented at the funeral by his Aide-de-Camp Paul O'Donnell, led the tributes to Mr Rock last week.
"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."
Mr Rock went solo in 1973, though continuing to perform occasionally with the Miami Showband.
Touring well into his 80s, he received a lifetime achievement award in October 2009. He retired from performing in 2021, at the age of 84, due to hearing problems.
He is predeceased by his son Joseph and "beloved wife" Judy, who died in 2022 after contracting covid-19. His death notice said he "will be sadly missed by his children Jason, John, Richard, Sarah-Jane and Peter as well as his seven grandchildren, daughters-in-law, his brother and sisters and a wide circle of friends.
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