With the nation still reeling from the sudden death of Marian Finucane just last Thursday, and just weeks after the passing of Gay Byrne, Ireland has lost another broadcasting legend this morning. RTE have announced the death of Larry Gogan, who broadcast on 2FM since its inception in 1979 and had been a part RTE radio for well over 50 years.
Most well known for his "Just a Minute Quiz" and for Larry's Golden Hour, as well as the Top 30 countdown, Larry transcended generations right up until he broadcast his final show on 2FM in January last year, and was universally seen as one of Ireland's most popular radio personalities.
In 1979, he played the first song on the then Radio 2, a Boomtown Rats song called Like Clockwork.
When recovering from heart surgery in 2002, Gogan lost his wife Florrie to breast cancer, something he has spoken about eloquently and emotionally over the years. He is survived by his five children and 12 grandchildren.
It's more shocking news for the Irish public following on from the deaths of Marian Finucane and Gay Byrne in such recent days and weeks.
As you would expect, the tributes have been pouring in since the news broke this morning.
Larry Gogan a dear friend. A wonderful man.
May he rest in peace. @rte @RTElyricfm pic.twitter.com/sau8gax8AK— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) January 7, 2020
Another sad day for broadcasting. Rest In Peace Larry Gogan. An utter gentleman. A consummate broadcaster. He will be greatly missed. #LarryGogan pic.twitter.com/VfHN9lJO3E
— Simon Delaney (@SimonDelaneyEsq) January 7, 2020
Larry Gogan was one the kindest, nicest people I have ever met. His voice and the just a minute quiz were a huge part of the soundtrack to my childhood. “The questions didn’t suit you” wasn’t just a tagline, it was more proof of how lovely he truly was. #RIPLarryGogan
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) January 7, 2020
More than any other, Larry Gogan was the radio voice of my childhood. He introduced me to music and I spent many, many hours, fingers poised on the tape deck, waiting for him to play the songs I liked. i met him several times and he was as lovely in real life as he was on radio.
— Conor Pope (@conor_pope) January 7, 2020
So sad to hear about Larry Gogan What a Legend ...What a Gent..What a Voice ! A brilliant broadcaster who was so kind when the “Just a Minute” Quiz questions were difficult.”They were a bit hard for you there today”. Loved listening to Larry on the Radio. RIP @RTERadio1 @RTE2fm
— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) January 7, 2020
RIP Larry Gogan - used to play cassette demos by underground Irish rock bands on daytime radio in the 90s when the so-called “cool” DJs wouldn’t touch them. Didn’t know him but always seemed like a great guy.
— Leagues O'Toole // Foggy Notions (@foggynotions) January 7, 2020
Sad to hear about Larry Gogan. What a great old style dj! I won a bunch of cds on his show about 20 years ago! RIP Larry 🙏 #LarryGogan
— Fiona BarrettPalfrey (@Fi_Barrett) January 7, 2020
As a kid, everytime I taped a song from the radio Larry’s intro was always there and perfectly timed, almost part of its DNA. #riplarrygogan
— Chris O'Brien (@chrisobriens) January 7, 2020
“Ah sure they didn’t suit you” .... RIP Larry you legend. Many a mixed tape recorded from Larry Gogans top 40 back in the day. https://t.co/R6qdaCNSQJ
— Emma Connolly (@EmmaCon2010) January 7, 2020
Larry had one of those distinctive kind voices on radio, even when someone didn't get a question right on the just a minute quiz he was always nice to them #LarryGogan rest in peace pic.twitter.com/15vCTEm8YF
— Tracey Walker (@traceywalker82) January 7, 2020
To lose Gay Byrne, Marian Finucane and now Larry Gogan all within 9 weeks is monumental. Three of the defining, respected and adored voices of the last half century of Irish broadcasting...
— nigel (@wheatln2) January 7, 2020
Will miss the great Larry Gogan. Did his Just A Minute quiz no mess than three times including winning a mobile phone the day Esat launched the Speakeasy. Thank you Larry you lunchtime legend. I hope the questions at the pearly gates suit you. #LarryGogan @RTE2fm
— Enda Lynch (@austinstacksabu) January 7, 2020
Loved, loved, loved Larry Gogan, who was responsible for 2 of the greatest events of my teenage years: winning the Just a Minute quiz with him on the phone and getting 2 tickets from him in the Roadcaster for U2's second day at Croker on the Joshua Tree tour in '87. RIP pic.twitter.com/9ZSlVmMarD
— Tina Weadick (@NutellaJob) January 7, 2020
