Hot Press is saddened to learn of the death in London of Harry Doherty, who started out during the late ‘60s as a reporter at the Derry Journal. Harry then moved over to the UK to work for Melody Maker, where he championed the likes of Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, Horslips, Kate Bush, Queen, 10CC and The Boomtown Rats.
He got to know Freddie Mercury well and when Queen celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2011, Harry penned the official tie-in tome – the only official book ever published about the band.

Hot Press spoke to him in 2012 when he co-authored Thin Lizzy: The Boys Are Back In Town with the Lizzy guitarist, Scott Gorham.
His varied career also included spells at Capital Radio in London, Metal Hammer and Hard’n’Heavy video magazine.

“It made a huge difference to Irish bands, knowing that there was someone from this neck of the woods writing at a high level about music in London,” Hot Press editor Hot Press Niall Stokes said. “As it proved, Harry was a great champion for Irish music – and he also inspired young Irish rock writers to believe that they too could make their mark.

"Of course he wasn’t just about music – I spoke to him in his role as Managing Editor of Books & Media relatively recently and he was as helpful and as positive a force as always. Harry will be hugely missed by everyone in the business.”
Harry, who had been living in Portsmouth, died at the Royal Free Hospital in London on Sunday