LEGENDARY IRISH folk singer Danny Doyle has died.
The showband icon, 79, passed away in America, his adopted homeland where he had resettled in 1983.
Danny was hugely popular in Ireland in the 1970’s and 80’s, famously beating Abba’s ‘Take A Chance on Me’ to clinch first place on Irish music charts, and many people in the Emerald Isle will be mourning the news of his passing today.
He had a total of 3 No. 1 singles throughout his career and recorded an impressive 25 albums overall, performing in iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York city and Albert Hall in London.
Tributes are flooding in from Ireland and beyond, many making reference to Danny’s gentle character and trademark Irish wit.
We lost one of the greats in the Irish folk music world. An old friend of the Rovers, a true troubadour, a beautiful voice, a gentleman and a gentle man, Danny Doyle. Our hearts are with Taffy and the family. You will be missed old friend.#DannyDoyle pic.twitter.com/Vqr1qHDoTT
— The Irish Rovers (@TheIrishRovers) August 7, 2019
@rte Sorry to hear of Danny Doyle's passing. In the early 70s I was a Ballroom DJ in Mallow and met Danny on a few occasions. A true gentleman. R. I. P. Danny.
— Eugene Cosgrove (@EugeneCosgrove8) August 8, 2019
The Dublin-born man had always been destined to be an Irish musical legend, dropping out of school at 14 years old and learning songs by listening to travelling Irish musicians. He became a travelling man himself, exploring the vast Irish countryside and becoming inspired by the beauty he found all around him.
His hits, which include ‘Whiskey on a Sunday’ and ‘The Rare Ould Times’ will carry on his memory, and Ireland is not likely to ever forget Danny Doyle.
