Dickie Rock, 1936 – 2024

Irish pop singer and songwriter Richard "Dickie" Rock, 88, died on Dec. 6. From 1963-72, he sang with the Miami Showband (and got out just in time—three band members were killed in a 1975 massacre by the Ulster Defence Regiment). The Showband had a No. 1 hit in 1965 with "Every Step of the Way,” and as a solo artist he performed “Come Back to Stay” on the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest (that also became a big hit). Rock continued performing and recording till he had to retire due to hearing loss. He said, “I could have done the gigs but I have too much respect for my fans to have them hear me ­singing out of tune. It’s just from being on the road for so long, so many gigs, so many sound checks. The hearing problem comes with the territory.”