Earl Gill, who founded The Hoedowners Showband back in the 1960s, died last week at the age of 81. The Dubliner enjoyed a lifelong love for music and commanded enormous regard among colleagues and friends.
A young Sean Dunphy joined the then Earl Gill Band in the early 1960s, before going on to become the lead singer.
He represented Ireland in the Eurovision, where he came second to Sandie Shaw in 1967 with If I Could Choose.
Fr Dermod McCarthy, RTÉ pastoral care facilitator and friend of the Gill family, told the congregation at the funeral mass in Glasthule church that Earl loved life and savoured every minute of it.
“Apart from his music, he was an avid sailor, he loved swimming, squash, handball and golf, at which he was a natural. Of course, he is best known for his beautiful music. He played with both RTÉ orchestras, with session groups, for film music and a whole succession of musicians since he turned professional at the age of 15 and formed his first band at the age of 20, in 1952.
“Martin Luther once said: ‘Next to theology I give to music the highest place and honour. Music is the art of the prophets, the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul. It is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us,’” said Fr McCarthy.
Earl is survived by his wife Mavis and their family, Derek, Susan, Earl Junior and Robin. CL
Earl Gill, who founded The Hoedowners Showband back in the 1960s, died last week at the age of 81. The Dubliner enjoyed a lifelong love for music and commanded enormous regard among colleagues and friends.
A young Sean Dunphy joined the then Earl Gill Band in the early 1960s, before going on to become the lead singer.
He represented Ireland in the Eurovision, where he came second to Sandie Shaw in 1967 with If I Could Choose.
Fr Dermod McCarthy, RTÉ pastoral care facilitator and friend of the Gill family, told the congregation at the funeral mass in Glasthule church that Earl loved life and savoured every minute of it.
“Apart from his music, he was an avid sailor, he loved swimming, squash, handball and golf, at which he was a natural. Of course, he is best known for his beautiful music. He played with both RTÉ orchestras, with session groups, for film music and a whole succession of musicians since he turned professional at the age of 15 and formed his first band at the age of 20, in 1952.
“Martin Luther once said: ‘Next to theology I give to music the highest place and honour. Music is the art of the prophets, the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul. It is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us,’” said Fr McCarthy.
Earl is survived by his wife Mavis and their family, Derek, Susan, Earl Junior and Robin. CL
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