The Man With The Golden Voice

at

This morning.

RTÉ has announced the death of broadcaster Larry Gogan.

Via RTE:

The man with the golden voice, Larry Gogan was at the very heart of 2fm – and RTÉ – for over 50 years. Part of the original line-up for Radio 2 in 1979, Larry began with RTÉ Radio in the 1960’s, latterly presenting for RTÉ Gold

Lorcan ‘Larry’ Gogan (born 1938) broadcast his first radio programme on RTÉ Radio 1, and was in the original line-up in 1979 of RTÉ Radio 2 (which later became RTÉ 2fm), where he spun the first disc. He presented a regular show there until 2019.

Larry presented The Golden Hour up until February 2014. Famous for his “Just a Minute Quiz”, his catchphrases are universally recalled (“They didn’t really suit you”).

Larry also presented a variety of television programmes including Pickin’ The Pops, Go 2 Show and The Golden Hour.

He commentated frequently on the Eurovision Song Contest. On 8 January 2019, he moved from 2FM to RTÉ Gold – he presented his last programme on 2FM on Thursday 31 January.

Larry met his wife Florrie when she was 15. Both their fathers ran newspaper shops in Dublin. They were engaged two years later and married when she was 21. He is survived by his five children – Gerard, Orla, Grainne, David and Sinead – and 12 grandchildren. Florrie died in January 2002.

Larry won many awards. A Jacob’s winner, he was also awarded the IRMA Honours Award “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish music”, and the Industry Award at the 2007 Meteor Awards.

RIP.

Rollingnews

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24 thoughts on “The Man With The Golden Voice

    1. Slightly Bemused

      Very appropriate!

      But the sound of silence will go on.

      2FM will be hard to listen to today – I reckon most of the staff will be gutted, in many ways more so than Radio 1 staff were over Marian.

  1. H

    I remember when he used to do the roller disco at the TV Club, he was a lovely man. Going home won’t be the same without him on the radio. RIP

  2. Clampers Outside

    Hope the questions at the gate suit you Larry… I’m sure they will.

    RIP you legend

  3. Rosette of Sirius

    How anyone might have a bad word to say about Larry Gogan is beyond me. But then….. comment sections…

    Anyways. Larry Gogan’s was the first radio voice I can recall from my childhood. That and because he played the music my mam and sisters wanted to listen to.

    Later in my teens, I was home sick from school. Had the radio on. He had a triple play on from one of my favorite bands in the 80s who had just released a new album. It was XTC’s Oranges and Lemons. I mean not even Dave Fanning would have played three in a row!

    He was a gent when engaging with his listeners. Just A Minute became a national media trope. The Christmas calls to diaspora around the world were always lovely.

    He was a class act.

    1. scottser

      Couldn’t agree more, well said. He had one of the biggest and most extensive record collections in the country too.
      RIP Larry

      1. Slightly Bemused

        I heard that. I remember an interview from many years ago (likely will be replayed during the week) where he said he tried to listen to every new record, and there were about 100 a month (or maybe week, not sure) between singles and albums.

        At that rate, just the time investment was huge, but 100/month is 5,200 per year, and over 40 years… He must have had a whole house just to, ehm, house them!

  4. Daisy Chainsaw

    The oldest teenager in Ireland who brought the colour of pop music to the grey Irish airwaves. RIP Larry.

  5. Rudy

    My brother has just reminded me of the time my grandfather wrote to RTE along the following lines:

    “When are you going to take that b@2ta€d Larry Gogan off the air? I keep missing the 11 o’clock news because of him”.

    Background: this was before RTE 2 FM. Larry had a show between 22:00 and 23:00. My grandfather couldn’t bear listening to it, hence he often missed the 23:00 news.

  6. Spaghetti Hoop

    Joe Duffy on Larry Gogan;
    “I visited him ten days ago, he was in his usual great form with his loving family, his beautiful honeyed voice, the quick wit and deep intelligence shone through,” he wrote on Twitter.

    Joe Duffy on Marian Finucane;
    ‘Broadcaster Joe Duffy has said Marian Finucane’s death has come as a “great shock to everybody” and that he was only speaking to her just before she went to India for a wedding at Christmas.’

    Joe Duffy on Gay Byrne;
    ‘‘I was lucky to visit him on Friday evening and I knew the end was near, I didn’t know that it would happen at this time’

    Joe Duffy on Niall Tobin;
    ‘Broadcaster Joe Duffy tweeted “I used to see and greet Niall in Clontarf until his health deteriorated.’

    Don’t talk to Joe is the message here I think.

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