SO LONG BIG TOM, KING OF COUNTRY
Daniel O’Donnell leads tributes to star
IRISH country music is in mourning following the death of Big Tom McBride aged 81, with Daniel O’Donnell leading the tributes to the iconic singer. The Monaghan star died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday night – just a few months after his wife Rose McBride passed away.
‘Country music is richer because of him, he has left so much behind,’ said Daniel.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on RTÉ Radio 1, he added: ‘There are people who have a presence and Big Tom had it in abundance when he walked in somewhere.’
Daniel said the recent passing of Rose probably left Tom heartbroken, but added that ‘there’s a great reunion in heaven today’.
Tubridy was also joined on his show by country stars Declan Nerney, Philomena Begley and Margo O’Donnell.
Nerney said Big Tom created something within country music that no else has equalled. He said: ‘The people who bought into Big Tom’s style of music, it was like a religion, particularly for the emigrants away. People in London, Manchester, Birmingham and further afield like New York.
‘They very much looked forward to it. It was like a piece of Irishness that they held onto. He reminded them of home. He was home.’
Begley said Big Tom was always welcome wherever he went.
‘He was a character in his own right… he’d light up a room because he was full of devilment too, you know,’ she said.
A statue of Big Tom has already been commissioned by Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District and it was hoped it would be in place before his death.
It will stand in Castleblayney as a tribute to one of Monaghan’s favourite sons. Also, this week’s Late Late Show will be a country music special featuring tributes to the legendary singer.
President Michael D Higgins led the tributes from figures from the world of politics. He described Big Tom as one of the most charismatic and influential artists in Irish country music, and said he was widely respected through his five decades of music making.
‘[Big Tom] will be recalled with fond memory by those who listened, and danced to, his and his band members’ generous nights of entertainment all over the island of Ireland,’ said President Higgins.
He offered his ‘deepest sympathies’ to Big Tom’s children, his extended family, friends and the ‘countless numbers of people, at home and abroad, who loved the man and his music’.
In a statement, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: ‘Not many people are known by their first name, but that was Big Tom. It shows his popularity and legendary status as the king of Irish country music.
‘His songs were a reflection of Irish life and an important connection for the Irish diaspora.’
Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys, who is a TD for CavanMonaghan, said: ‘I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Big Tom this morning and would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
‘Big Tom was one of Monaghan’s most famous sons and a true country music legend.
‘For many people who emigrated to the UK, he was the voice of home. Despite his huge success, Big Tom remained a gentle giant and a true no-fuss, modest Monaghan man.’
‘He reminded them of home’
Monsignor Joseph McGuinness, administrator of the Diocese of Clogher – Big Tom’s local diocese – said the deceased was more than a singer, adding: ‘Above all, he was a family man.
‘He and his late wife Rose formed a strong team in their household and in the wider community. He was very proud of that community and of Co. Monaghan.’
Big Tom McBride will lie in repose at Oram Community Centre outside Castleblayney between 12pm and 8pm so fans can pay their respects.
The funeral Mass is due to take place at 11am on Friday morning in St Patrick’s Church, and the singer will be buried in the church’s cemetery afterwards.
Big Tom and his wife Rose, who died in January, are survived by their children Aisling, Thomas, Dermot and Siobhán.
IT was with great sadness that we all learned of the death of Big Tom McBride yesterday morning. A giant of country music since the 1960s, he packed out dancehalls and music venues the length and breadth of the country, and beyond. Indeed, for thousands of Irish emigrants in London in the 1970s, Big Tom’s performances in the famous Galtymore dance hall in Cricklewood gave them a sense of belonging, and drew them closer to home and to all that they missed from across the water.
President Michael D Higgins is right when he refers to the singer as a ‘charismatic and influential’ artist whose ‘passion and skill have enriched Ireland’s music scene.’
More than that, however, with his gentle nature, his sense of humour and his kind demeanour, he also enriched the lives of all those who were lucky enough to know him over the years.
The warmth of the tributes from friends and fellow artists yesterday certainly gave solid testimony to that.
To his family we offer our sincere condolences. To the gentle giant that was Big Tom we say farewell – and rest in peace.