- Music
- 12 Mar 15
Tributes to the much-loved DJ have been pouring in...
Hot Press is deeply saddened to learn that broadcaster Tony Fenton, a great friend of this magazine's down through the years, has died from prostate cancer. He was 53 and had been battling the disease for several years.
From his pirate days with the likes of ARD and Big D to his wildly successful 2fm and Today FM tenures, Tony was the consummate professional and a man who always went the extra yard for Irish artists.
In October last year he was inducted into the PPI Radio Awards Hall of Fame with Today FM CEO Peter McPartlin saying at the bestowal: "Those who have worked with Tony over the years know only too well the positivity that he exudes – it’s a trait that not only inspires those who work with him, but also is something he manages to convey to his listeners. Tony Fenton does music radio like no-one else. He’ll happily tell you it’s not work. It’s a love affair.”
Tony was rare among national daytime broadcasters in that he picked virtually all of his own music, and would spend hours at his Today FM desk going through the latest batch of CDs to be dropped in to the station. As such, he was the 'holy grail' for many a young Irish hopeful looking to gain invaluable airplay.
He loved getting acts in to play live, with Little Green Cars, Bell X1, Josh Ritter, Wallis Bird and Bombay Bicycle Club just a handful of his session guests.
"My god, what tragic heartbreaking news," says Niall Breslin; "So sad to hear Tony Fenton has passed away. A true legend and the voice of our childhood," is the joint communique from Kodaline; "Sad to hear about the passing of the legend and true music lover - and that voice!" adds Keith Duffy; "Very sad news indeed; gone too soon", reacts Brian Kennedy; "Tony Fenton was a gent," proffer Delorentos and 'Heartbroken to hear of Tony's passing. Audrey and I loved him very much. We had so many great times with him, so many..." rues his old pal Tom Dunne.
Another of his former colleagues, Ann Marie Kelly, says: "Safe home Tony Fenton. The ultimate disc-jockey signing off" while 2fm's Louise McSharry adds: "So very sad to hear of the passing of Tony Fenton. What an incredible career, and a very kind man on the occasion I met him."
"The definition of a DJ voice," says 2fm's Paddy McKenna: artist and producer Joe Chester writes: "Safe travels Tony Fenton, you were a champion of many Irish artists, myself included and a genuinely lovely person. Thank you"; "He used to get the last bus in from Glasnevin and then hang around for four hours to do his 4am shift on ARD unpaid," recalls journalist Ken Sweeney, and "What a gentleman he was. Always warm, engaging and so passionate about music," says former Royseven man Paul Walsh.