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Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie

'Ireland’s answer to Elvis': Tributes paid to singer Brendan Bowyer who has died aged 81

Bowyer died at his home in Las Vegas yesterday evening.

LAST UPDATE | 29 May 2020

IRISH SINGER AND entertainer Brendan Bowyer has died aged 81.

Bowyer died at his home in Las Vegas yesterday evening surrounded by his wife Stella, his three children and his two grandchildren.

His family confirmed his passing in a statement on Facebook this morning:

“It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Brendan Bowyer. Ireland’s most beloved International entertainer for 62 years.

Brendan passed away peacefully in Las Vegas on the late evening of May 28, 2020. He was surrounded by the unending love of his wife of 53 years, Stella, his three children, Brendan Jr, Aisling, Clodagh, and his two grandchildren, Liam and Nora Stella.

“Brendan was hoping to get back to his homeland, Ireland, one last time. He was 81 years old.”

Bowyer was best known for fronting the Royal Showband and The Big Eight, and he had five number one hits in Ireland. 

It was during his time with the Royal Showband that he first performed what many consider his signature tune, The Hucklebuck. 

Other hits included Kiss Me Quick, Sitting in the Sun and I Can’t Get You Out of My Heart.

PavilionTheatreDL / YouTube

Culture Minister Josepha Madigan said she was extremely saddened to hear of the Waterford native’s passing. 

“He could justly claim to be in the very top echelon of performers of the dancehall era.  His comparison to Elvis Presley is not an overstated one,” said Madigan. 

So many romances, marriages and happy memories were created during many years of joy and entertainment that Brendan brought to this country and his adopted Las Vegas. 

“He set a high bar and inspired so many other performers that followed.  He will be so sadly missed.”

Madigan offered her condolences to Brendan’s wife of 53 years, his three children, as well as his extended family and thousands of devoted fans.

“Hearing the Hucklebuck again will give us mixed feelings, a nostalgia of happier times gone by tinged with sadness,” the Minister added. 

- With reporting from Adam Daly

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    Mute Molly1952
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    May 29th 2020, 11:54 AM

    RIP Brendan. One of the greats from the brilliant showband era and beyond.

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    Mute Jerriko17
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    May 29th 2020, 12:08 PM

    Great singer and a seemingly nice guy too. Not many can claim to be as popular as Elvis in Vegas and to have Elvis as a big fan…. Respect!

    521
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    Mute tuco
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    May 29th 2020, 9:45 PM

    @Anthony Ryan Dunne: no his not,run along millennial and listen to s club 7 for yourself

    182
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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    May 30th 2020, 6:41 AM

    @Jerriko17: Elvis was a big fan of Brendans and often went to see him perform in Los Vegas and was so impressed by him he invited him to his home.

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    Mute roberto Mankini
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    May 30th 2020, 7:56 AM

    @Anthony Ryan Dunne: looks like you got that wrong numbnuts…back to bed now.

    21
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    Mute Lochlainn Marcus
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    May 30th 2020, 7:58 AM

    @Anthony Ryan Dunne: are you just thick?

    17
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    Mute Anthony Ryan Dunne
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    May 30th 2020, 8:29 AM

    @roberto Mankini: the only reason elvis brought him back to his home, was to share drugs together,assho??

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    Mute Oracle Steve
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    May 30th 2020, 9:45 AM

    @Aine O Connor: I didn’t know that. Kudos to the big man

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    Mute Seanie Walsh
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    May 29th 2020, 12:07 PM

    So sad to hear of Brendan Bowyer ,passing away. One of Ireland’s greatest entertainers, perhaps we will never see the likes of him again. A great man , used to love going to watch the Royal Show band , also the Big 8, in the Olympia ballroom in Waterford, his home City, in the 60s. Condolences to Stella & Family

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    Mute Muriel Ryan
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    May 29th 2020, 12:19 PM

    Ah poor Brendan R.I.P CONDOLENCES to his wife children and grandchildren and extended family and friends , Pity he never got back to his hometown one time !

    247
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    Mute Jun Stone
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    May 29th 2020, 12:27 PM

    Ah the hucklebuck back in the late 60’s, I can remember most of the words!

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    Mute ÓDuibhír Abú
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    May 29th 2020, 12:32 PM

    @Jun Stone: Great Times.!!

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    May 29th 2020, 2:01 PM

    @Jun Stone: that was all the words apart from shoes and shake it all about

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    Mute Donal Sweeney
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    May 29th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Safe journey Brendan. Thanks for a zillion memories. Condolences to all the family

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    Mute Patrick Purcell
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    May 29th 2020, 2:02 PM

    Heaven can look forward to some great Showband music with Brendan and Joe Dolan. My two favourite singers and bands. Unique.

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    Mute tuco
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    May 29th 2020, 12:54 PM

    Brendan always flew the flag for Waterford and ireland.you will be sadly missed in the deise. Rip

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    Mute The Expert
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    May 29th 2020, 4:06 PM

    I was reluctantly dragged to see him at Clontarf Castle about 25 years ago,but I ended up having a brilliant night. Legend. RIP

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    Mute gerrygag
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    May 29th 2020, 4:15 PM

    Brendan was a great entertainer. I recall many packed nights in the Atlantic in Tramore, the Olympia in Waterford plus the TV Club in Harcourt Street. I last saw him in Waterford during the Tall Ships. He could still give it welly. May he Rest In Peace.

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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    May 29th 2020, 11:51 AM

    Ah, Jaysus, Journal, the kids on here wouldn’t have a clue who Brendan Bowyer is.

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    May 29th 2020, 5:39 PM

    @Chin Feeyin: Correct and right. I happened to be in a pub on a Friday night back about 1989/99 . He came in with a friend of his and to talk to the barman, who also was friendly with him . The pub was full, I asked several people that were around me did they know who he was, not one of them knew who he was . He was a 60s man, very good in his day, drew big crowds and had a great voice. May he Rest in Peace.

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    May 29th 2020, 5:39 PM

    @Eugene Comaskey: that should be 98/99 .

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    Mute Thomas Corrigan
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    May 29th 2020, 5:56 PM

    I think I heard he was headlining a UK Tour in the early 60,s and one of his support acts was …… The Beatles.

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    Mute Tony Lyons
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    May 29th 2020, 9:51 PM

    @Thomas Corrigan: that’s true

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    Mute Nora Rafferty
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    May 29th 2020, 10:14 PM

    RIP Brendan
    Lovely humble man
    Outstanding entertainer.
    Ar Dheis de go raibh ar a anam

    69
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    Mute Mary N. Cooke
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    May 29th 2020, 3:14 PM

    RIP Brendan, best fun ever at dances years ago.
    Hucklebuck up above

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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    May 29th 2020, 4:26 PM

    The showbands SENT THEM HOME SWEATING, as the title of a book about the 60s showband era says. Before the corona virus shutdown, city discos and nightspots mostly SENT THEM HOME SCUTTERED DRUNK. Brendan Boyer R.I.P.

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    Mute Ann Moynihan
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    May 29th 2020, 3:46 PM

    Ah bless RIP Brendan.

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    Mute Paul Lee
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    May 29th 2020, 9:50 PM

    His version of So Deep Is The Night is absolutely hair raising. Fantastic singer. RIP

    51
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    Mute Sheila Forrest
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    May 29th 2020, 4:11 PM

    RIP Condolence to all the family members here and abroad got the see him in Las Vegas twice fabulous Entertainer never forgot his home

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    Mute Ed
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    May 29th 2020, 8:13 PM

    RIP to a legend

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    Mute Mick Scanlan
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    May 29th 2020, 9:32 PM

    Brendan gave joy ,smiles ,dancing and happiness to thousands .now thats a life well lived . God bless his Soul

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    Mute Sheila Forrest
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    May 29th 2020, 4:11 PM

    RIP Condolence to all the family members here and abroad got the see him in Las Vegas twice fabulous Entertainer never forgot his home

    51
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    Mute John Hanrahan
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    May 30th 2020, 9:05 AM

    First Sunday after Christmas, Olympia, Waterford, Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband, 10 Shillings to get in. Queuing around the corner. Couldn’t move on the dance floor. Fantastic memories. Thank you Brendan. May yourself and Tom Dunphy reminisce about all the good old days. R.I.P.

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    Mute Tom Fitzgibbons
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    May 29th 2020, 11:51 AM

    A bit late with the news.

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    Mute Tracie Perry
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    May 29th 2020, 6:38 PM

    Crystal swing will be weeping.

    16
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    Mute John Rock
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    May 30th 2020, 8:35 AM

    A legend, a Gentleman. RIP. Thoughts and prayers with the family in this unthinkably tough time.

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    Mute veronica
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    May 30th 2020, 7:18 AM

    Absolutely loved Brendan he was a legend in his time. May he R.I.P Amen Sincere condolences to his entire family x

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    Mute Paul O'Sullivan
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    May 29th 2020, 9:50 PM

    Irelands answer to Elivis ? Bit much dont ya think ?

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    Mute Lochlainn Marcus
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    May 30th 2020, 8:02 AM

    @Paul O’Sullivan: you haven’t a clue really!

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    Mute Howard Myers
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    May 30th 2020, 11:48 AM

    @Paul O’Sullivan: as a Historian Paul, you could do worse than look at the effect Brendan Bowyer had on the musical cultural revolution that took place in the early 1960’s when the young people finally started to break free from the censorship imposed by de Valera and McQuaid. In that respect the young people did regard him as ‘Ireland’s answer to Elvis’.

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    Mute Anthony Ryan Dunne
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    May 30th 2020, 5:37 PM

    @Howard Myers: was Deval era not a fan.

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    Mute Dermot O'Reilly
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    May 30th 2020, 11:44 PM

    Brendan was one of Ireland’s greatest entertainers.
    May he rest in peace with our Lord.

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    Mute John O Brien Bsc
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    May 29th 2020, 3:50 PM

    RIP Brendan an Irish music legend

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    Mute Gerard Ryan
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    May 31st 2020, 4:49 PM

    I was never a fan of the showbands but must admit I did like Brendan Boyer and Dickie Rock. Very sorry to hear of his passing. In some ways he was an icon of my youth. Condolences to his family.

    1
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