The Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts dies aged 72
Garry Roberts, the guitarist and founding member of Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats, has died on the age of 72.
Roberts is claimed to have been instrumental within the band selecting the identify The Boomtown Rats and “summed up the sense of who The Rats are”, the group mentioned in an announcement at this time (November 9).
No reason for demise was given on the time of writing.
The Boomtown Rats, fronted by singer and political activist Bob Geldof, wrote in an announcement on their Fb web page: “It’s with very nice grief that the members of The Boomtown Rats announce the demise this morning of Garry Roberts, our good friend and guitarist.
“The remaining members of the band, Pete, Bob, Simon, Darren and Al prolong their deepest sympathy to his household and associates.”
It’s with very nice grief that the members of The Boomtown Rats announce the demise this morning of Garry Roberts, our…
Posted by The Boomtown Rats on Wednesday, November 9, 2022
The band, who’re identified for songs ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ and ‘Like Clockwork’, mirrored extra on Roberts and the band’s founding in Dublin within the mid-’70s.
“On a transparent Spring night in 1975, in a pub in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Garry grew to become THE founding member of what turned out to be an awesome rock’n’roll band, pushed largely by that sound of his, a storm of large thought of noise that punched out from his overtaxed amplifiers; and which animated not simply the remainder of the group however audiences he performed to all over the world.
“For followers he was The Legend – and he was. For us he was Gazzer, the man who summed up the sense of who The Rats are. We’ve identified Garry since we had been youngsters and so we really feel unusually adrift with out him tonight. Secure travels Gaz. Thanks for every thing mate.”
Roberts is claimed to have initially threatened to stop the band except they modified their identify from The Nightlife Thugs [via BBC News].
Geldof finally got here up with The Boomtown Rats after he learn the phrase in US protest singer Woody Guthrie’s autobiography Sure For Glory.
In a tweet the band additionally described Roberts as: “A person who might be missed, a good friend who might be remembered, a sound that may by no means been forgotten.”
See tributes to Roberts beneath.
So sorry to listen to about Garry Roberts.
Complete legend and completely good man.
Sending like to his household, associates
and band household. 🖤 https://t.co/DAJzEQ9DU1— Imelda Could (@ImeldaOfficial) November 9, 2022
Unhappy to listen to of the passing of BoomTownRats guitarist Garry Roberts aged 72 🎸😪🙏 pic.twitter.com/uNbgylbkpp
— PJI64 (@paul1964Jam) November 9, 2022
When you’re an Irish individual of a sure age. You bought your music repair from Prime of The Pops and when the BBC DJ mentioned ‘Now from Dublin..The Boomtown Rats’… it actually blew your thoughts. #GarryRoberts pic.twitter.com/BPO4FdlUzJ
— Ken Sweeney (@KenSweeney) November 9, 2022
RIP Garry Roberts of @BoomtownThe, certainly one of my favorite bands for a few years pic.twitter.com/DuC1zvAugL
— Martin Neal (@HarveyWahWah) November 9, 2022
I’m sorry to listen to the information of the demise of Garry Roberts. His guitar was the center of the sound of the Boomtown Rats as they rose to the highest of the charts at dwelling and overseas, successful followers and difficult orthodoxies alongside the best way. My deepest condolences to his household & associates. https://t.co/tFWJKEJKwK
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) November 9, 2022
The Boomtown Rats had been the primary band I actually beloved as a child & Garry’s guitar was a vital a part of that sound – RIP Garry Roberts https://t.co/3xQy1Sz4jm
— Steve Could (@stevemaythe1st) November 9, 2022