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Tributes to showband legend Brendan Boyer

The Gleneagle Hotel has led local tributes to the internationally acclaimed Irish performer, Brendan Bowyer, who has passed away at the age of 81.

A native of Waterford, Brendan lived and spent most of his career in Las Vegas, but never forgot his Irish roots. For over of six decades Brendan enthralled audiences around the world. The title of Ireland’s answer to Elvis Presley rested easily on his shoulders.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Brendan Bowyer. His performances at The Gleneagle down through the years were nothing short of legendary. He was one of the kings of the Showband era both at home in Ireland and abroad. Our sincerest condolences to his wife Stella, his family and his many friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis,” said Patrick O’Donoghue, CEO of The Gleneagle Group.

He burst onto the scene in the late 1950’s as a member of The Royal Showband with whom he performed what many consider his signature tune The Hucklebuck. The Dancehall genre of music was at its height and packed out venues the length and breadth of the country throughout the 1960’s.

His move to Las Vegas in the early 1970’s was the stepping stone to international stardom with the Big 8 Showband which he formed with the late Tom Dunphy. He readily sold-out venues in his adopted city and rubbed shoulders with the iconic performers of the time.

He made many trips back to Ireland for performances over the following 40 years and was made a freeman of Waterford City