A funeral mass for Rock will take place at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in his childhood neighbourhood of Cabra at 10.15am.
“Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. Father of Jason, John, Richard, Sarah-Jane and Peter,” a death notice for Rock reads.
“Pre-deceased by his son Joseph and beloved wife Judy. He will be sadly missed by his family, grandchildren Ben, Mia, May, Rueben, Noah, Rosie and Robin, daughters-in-law, Ruth, Aisling and Sadaf, his brother and sisters and a wide circle of friends.”
The heartthrob Dublin singer was the Irish entry in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest, where he finished fourth with a performance of the song Come Back to Stay.
Today’s News in 90 seconds – 11th December 2024
Rock was the frontman of the Miami Showband in the 1960s and early 1970s. The band had seven Irish number one singles and their hit song To Whom It Concerns became the theme song of The Late Late Show.
He went on to have a successful solo career until his retirement in 2019 at the age of 84.
Tributes to Rock were led by President Michael D Higgins, who said the singer was “a performer of the highest quality”.
“May I join with all those who have expressed their sadness on learning of the death of Dickie Rock,” he said.
“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.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Rock “charmed and entertained generations” and described him as a “gentleman loved by many”.
