Johnny McEvoy obit

Johnny McEvoy, Irish music legend, dies aged 81

 He was not on the list.

The death has been announced of the Co Offaly singer-songwriter Johnny McEvoy. He was 81.

His manager Darren Farrell confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home in Greystones, Co Wicklow, on Sunday.

Born in Banagher, Co Offaly, Johnny McEvoy began singing at the age of four and turned professional at 18.

He rose to prominence in 1966 when Muirsheen Durkin reached number one in Ireland, with The Boston Burglar and Nora among the songs that followed.

Over a career spanning six decades, he also became known for writing songs including Long Before Your Time, Michael and The Planter's Daughter, which he wrote for his late wife, Odette.

In a statement, Johnny McEvoy's children, Jonathan and Alice, said: "Dad's music meant so much to so many people, but to us, he was just Dad. We're so grateful for all the love shown to him over the years.

"Johnny's funeral will be private, attended by his family, close friends and some of those he worked alongside over the years.

"The family thank everyone for the many kind messages they have received and ask that their privacy be respected at this time."

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's The News at One, Johnny McEvoy's manager Darren Farrell said: "One of the first songs I actually learned at home when I was a child was The Boston Burglar, because my parents were big Johnny McEvoy fans. Little did I know as a toddler that I was going to be working with him later on in life."

"I'm actually a little bit numb because this actually has come quite sudden. I only learnt of the news yesterday evening," he continued.

"To tell you about him, I started working with him in 2005, and I took over his management in around 2007.

"Every date that he ever done, whether it be an interview or a concert or travelling abroad, I travelled with him on every one of those."

He described Johnny McEvoy as someone who "had a wealth of experience" and "a great man to converse with".

"All of those times that we travelled, and many, many stories, I never heard the same story twice," he recounted.

"He was a wealth of information across so many different subjects.

"I'm going to miss him. I've got a lot to thank him for about where I am in the industry today, just with his experience and that."

He remembered Johnny McEvoy as "a very private man".

"It was hard to get him out to do anything if somebody wanted to give him an award or anything like that. He would be very quiet about stuff like that."

"His legacy speaks for itself," Darren Farrell added.

"He had number one hits. He had top 10 hits in the UK. And even when I took over his management at the time - we relaunched him and he wrote a book about his life - people started requesting him in all corners of the world again to come and play. And we did.

"He's got a very loyal following out there. My phone has been hopping all morning. It hasn't stopped since early this morning."

Paying tribute on RTÉ Radio 1's The Oliver Callan Show, Mick Foster of Foster and Allen described his friend as "a legend".

He saluted Johnny McEvoy for being one of the first entertainers to speak openly about mental health in the 1990s and his experience of depression.

"I'd say it definitely helped a load of people, because a load of people have this and they don't talk about it and a lot of them wouldn't know what was wrong with them," Mick Foster continued.

"But when you have someone of Johnny's standing in the community, for want of a better way of putting it, and he talks about it, well then, it obviously has to give them a lift."

"When you're on the go for as you say for 60 years, and you're a household name, people have to have a load of memories of him," he told the host.