Irish singer-songwriter Johnny McEvoy died at his home in Greystones, County Wicklow, on Sunday at the age of 81, The Irish Times reported.
His manager Darren Farrell confirmed that he passed away peacefully, stating that his phone has been hopping all morning. It hasn’t stopped since early this morning.
Farrell added that the news came quite sudden and that he only learnt of it yesterday evening.
The Boy From Banagher
Born in April 1945 in Banagher, County Offaly, to a bus driver and housewife named John and Emily, McEvoy began singing aged four before turning professional at 18, according to The Irish Times. His family relocated to Dublin when he was six years old.
He shot to national prominence in 1966 when his single “Muirsheen Durkin” reached number one in Ireland. Frances Black noted that the song helped make him a household name in the 60s.
Decades of Folk Legacy
McEvoy’s career spanned six decades, during which he wrote enduring songs such as “Long Before Your Time” and “Michael,” alongside his extensive performance work.
Frances Black described him as a true performer
who could hold a room with just his voice and guitar, and he did that for six decades, in every corner of Ireland and beyond.
In 2010, he returned to the hit again by releasing a new recording with Sharon Shannon, a release that coincided with an RTÉ documentary titled The Johnny McEvoy Story, as noted by The Irish Times.
Independent Senator and singer Frances Black described him as “one of the finest interpreters of Irish song we have ever had.” She stated that he “had a gift for finding the heart of a song and handing it to the listener with honesty and warmth.”
She added that he gave us a body of work that will be sung in kitchens, pubs and concert halls for generations.
The 2014 track “The Planter’s Daughter” was written about his late wife Odette.
Micheál Martin and Darren Farrell pay tribute
Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed his condolences on social media, calling McEvoy “a true icon of Irish folk music” who “brought great joy to audiences who had great affection for him.” Foster stated, 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.
His manager, Darren Farrell, recalled traveling to every concert, interview, and trip abroad with McEvoy after taking over his management in around 2007, having started working with him in 2005.
Farrell noted that McEvoy had a wealth of experience
and was a great man to converse with.
Farrell also noted that despite his international following and chart success in Ireland and top 10 hits in the UK—following a relaunch where McEvoy wrote a book about his life and prompted worldwide requests to come and play—McEvoy remained deeply private, remarking: 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.
Farrell added, His legacy speaks for itself.
Reflecting on his childhood, Farrell shared: 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.
McEvoy was predeceased by his wife Odette, whom he met in 1967 and married in 1970, and who died in 2013 three years following an ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Johnny McEvoy – a true icon of Irish folk music. Through his career spanning over six decades, Johnny brought great joy to audiences who had great affection for him. My sympathies to his family, friends and fans at this time.
“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,” Jonathan and Alice said in a statement.
Where Johnny McEvoy lived and his family details
Where did Johnny McEvoy live at the time of his passing?
He passed away at his home in Greystones, County Wicklow, according to reports confirmed by his manager Darren Farrell.
When did Johnny McEvoy achieve his first number-one single?
He rose to major prominence in 1966 when his single “Muirsheen Durkin” reached the number-one spot in Ireland.
Who are Johnny McEvoy’s surviving family members?
He is survived by his two children, Jonathan and Alice, and his grandchildren Kyle, Isabella, and Cinéad.
Worth a look