Johnny Quigley remembered

Derry music legend Johnny Quigley has been fondly remembered in countless tributes since the sad news of his death rippled out. 

Speaking to Derry Now, well known impresario Willie Deery described Johnny as a “one-off”.

“He was, without doubt, the best showband man Derry ever produced,” said Willie.

“Brendan Bowyer, the lead singer with the Royal Showband, who were themselves mega and actually once had The Beatles as their warm-up act at a gig in Liverpool, was on the Kelly Show one night. Gerry Kelly asked him, ‘Who was the best showband in Ireland?’ and without hesitation, Brendan Bowyer said, ‘The Johnny Quigley All Stars from Derry’.

“And Kelly said, ‘Why?’ and Bowyer said, ‘Well, they were the best musicians in the country, in one band. There were five of that band who could have fronted any showband in Ireland, that’s how good they were’.

Tributes to Derry's Johnny Quigley

'Johnny Quigley's All Stars was regarded by many as the best  Irish Showband ever'

“Johnny lived in Central Drive in Creggan and sometimes the band practised in Johnny’s house. There were steps down into the front door of the house and the crowd used to gather outside the door and watch them practising and sometimes the girls started to jive. You are talking 1961.

“Johnny is going to be sorely missed. The stories you could tell about him were quite amazing really. It is just a pity there was not a Radio Foyle programme done before he died. You could have told Johnny when he was living how good he was, instead of waiting till he died to tell his family,” said Willie.

Willie recalled managing the Foyle Showband, which included Johnny’s daughter Sharon. 

“Sharon played the saxophone. She was a great player. She was a fantastic addition to the Foyle Showband. 

“Joe, Johnny’s son, is regarded as one of the best guitar players in Ireland. 

“There will never be another Johnny Quigley, never.”

Derry musical superstar Phil Coulter revealed that Johnny Quigley was one of his first musical heroes.

He added: “The Johnny Quigley Band was something very special. Johnny raised the game completely in the whole showband era. It was certainly, for my money, one of the best bands in the country.

“Johnny and Gay McIntyre were bright lights shining for me when I was a young fella getting interested in music. 

“Johnny’s contribution is enormous. I remember very well, coming out of the Borderland Ballroom in Muff, it was a road to Damascus experience for me, coming to hear the Johnny Quigley band for the first time.

“I got into the back of the hall and I stood still because I was mesmerised by what I heard and what I saw on stage. Johnny Quigley was something very special. I am very, very sad to hear that he has passed. 

“He had great flair, not only as a musician, but with the band. Your average showband then was a six / seven piece but Johnny’s would have been 10 piece. He would have had trumpets, a bunch of saxs. All the family were involved. Johnny’s presentation too was just the best. He was one of the best bands this country ever produced. He will be sadly missed.”