Tributes to Derry's Johnny Quigley

Many, many warm tributes have been paid to Derry music legend, Johnny Quigley who has sadly died, aged 91. 

Johnny passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday (October 11, 2023), surrounded by all of his loving family.

Late of 48 Elmgrove and formerly of 11 Eastway Road, Creggan, Johnny was the beloved husband of the late Atlantica (Paddy) and devoted father of Joe, Paul, Laura, John, Carol, Sharon and Gary. A much loved granda, great-granda, great-great granda and great grand-oupa to all of his grandchildren. 

He was the precious son of the late Joe and Sadie. Dearest brother of Molly, Olive and all of his deceased brothers and sisters. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by all of his wider family circle, friends, colleague musicians and neighbours.

Breaking the unhappy news, Johnny's son-in-law, Andrew Monk said: "We have just lost another Great Music Legend and Gentleman Johnny Quigley my father in law.

"The Father of Joe, Paul, Laura, John, Carol, Sharon and Gary has just earned his wings and will now be playing with The Big Band in the sky. May he rest in peace."

In a poignant social media post, Derry Dances said: “This is a sad day for Derry with the news that our own Johnny Quigley has passed away. 

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

“Brendan Bowyer of the Royal Showband was on the UTV Gerry Kelly Show years ago when Gerry asked Brendan ‘Ok who was the best Showband of them all?’, without hesitation Brendan said, ‘Oh it has to be Johnny Quigley All Stars from Derry’. ‘Why?’ asked Gerry Kelly. ‘Well for the simple reason they were all class musicians, plus the fact that there were at least five of that band who could have fronted any band. When I saw them playing in Waterford one night I was just mesmerised by the sheer enthusiasm and wonderful arrangements of classic numbers of the day. That night I made up my mind that I wanted to be in a showband, and as they say the rest is history’. 

“God rest you Johnny you were one of a kind, a true son of Derry and a proper musical genius. 

 “Johnny you will be sorely missed. RIP Johnny Condolences to his family and many friends.”

Johnny’s beautiful late wife Atlantica, the first of her name, sadly passed away in 2005.

Johnny only retired ten years ago at 80 years old after he admitted he just didn’t have the energy for the sax and his voice was not as strong.

However, his retirement didn't come before he graced the music scene all over the world for more than 60 years.

Johnny and his bands toured Ireland and Britain. With the bars and lounges closing for Lent, they travelled to Scotland to play and were the first Irish band to perform at the Edinburgh Festival. 

In the 1960s, they toured America playing in cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, Virginia and San Francisco. They even travelled as far as South Africa.

Speaking to Derry News on the occasion of his 90th birthday, Johnny said: "We played all over the place, all over the world.

"I can't remember them all now, there were so many different gigs, we just loved playing our music to make a few bob."

Johnny started out by gracing Derry's bars and lounges at the tender age of 10 in the 1940s with his siblings, first cousin and other good friends in the concert and marching band. Ever since an old clarinet was placed into his hands at St Columb's, Johnny had found his calling. 

Johnny took a break from music at 13 to be a teenager. It was not to last. It only took less than a year and he was once again besotted with music. The hiatus ended after Johnny heard saxophonist Bill Ball at the Derry West End Hall. 

He recalled: "I heard Bill play the saxophone and I knew I wanted to learn how to play. There was one for sale in the window of Phillip's on Shipquay Street and my parents, bless them, they went into all sorts of debt to buy me it. They were always making sacrifices for us kids," Johnny said. "I was working at the bakery at the time but I was coming home and practising every night." 

Johnny was one of 12 children and reminisced fondly of his "genius" mother who he explained never saw any of the family go without despite being a one income household and his father earning £5 a week at the time.

Johnny managed to perfect the sax and soon began picking up gigs at parties and at the West End Hall before starting his own band, The Johnny Quigley Casino All-Stars, later becoming The Johnny Quigley Showband.  

The line-up of Johnny’s first band included Leonora Fiorentini on piano, Liam Griffiths on drums, Dennis Fisher on trombone, Johnny Quigley singing vocals, Mike Quigley tenor and baritone sax and vocals, Edmund Quigley on alto sax and bass, Joe Quigley on trumpet and vocals with Johnny on tenor sax and clarinet. 

Neil Gill from Letterkenny was the band’s first manager then Johnny’s brother-in-law later returned from America and took over management.  

Johnny's band quickly became a fan favourite in Ireland. People travelled from all over to hear them play on Derry's music scene. This was at a time when there were 32 professional bands in Derry, large bands, a lot for a small city.

Johnny's eldest son, Joe, told Derry News: "This was also a time where bands and people were filling the bars, the Derry streets were filled with good music. Meanwhile the place was basically up in flames. It was a crazy time."

The group packed capacity crowds into venues such as Derry's Guildhall and Belfast's Orpheus and Floral Hall as well as ballrooms in Dublin, Waterford, Tralee, Limerick and Galway. They achieved incredible touring success, however, the Johnny Quigley All-Stars never released a record.  

Over the years, some incredible musicians accompanied the much loved Derry band. The likes of drummer Tommy McMenamin, who was also a great drawer. 

The late great Gay McIntyre also played alongside the band on occasion. Gay was a very close friend of Johnny's.

Johnny said: "Gay was such a talent, he was fantastic. When I first heard him play, I was amazed. He was a great man and a great musician. His son now plays and he has definitely got the musical genes."

Johnny's seven children are also all involved in the music scene in some way as Johnny added: "Music is in their blood, they all have their own amazing talent and skill."

Johnny continued to play with his children until he was in his 70s in a family band, a time he remembers fondly.                                                    

It was in the 1960s, with his wife at home with their seven children that Johnny Quigley made the decision to stop touring. They decided to open a small family-run hotel on Derry’s Foyle Street. It was a 12-room-hotel with a bar and a lounge. 

The family later sold the hotel and opened up another bar and lounge in Bridgend which now stands as a casino. His sons Joe and John have fond memories of both lounges being filled with guests and good music.

After taking his band off the road, Johnny also spent the next twenty years as a teacher for the Western Education and Library Board. "I enjoyed it," he said. "It was worth it when you had a child who wanted to learn. That was great but not all the kids were interested in playing." 

Johnny's children continue his legacy as they still fill the Derry nightlife with their music, mostly their love of Jazz. Johnny added: "I still go out and watch them all. We are a very musical family and music never leaves you."

Johnny’s remains will be reposing at his late home, 48 Elmgrove from 2pm this afternoon, Thursday, October 12. 

His funeral will leave from there on Saturday, October 14, at 9:15am for 10am requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Creggan. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in the City Cemetery.

Johnny’s funeral requiem mass can be streamed live via: https://www.churchservices.tv/creggan.

Johnny Quigley: Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.