Larry Gogan has passed away aged 81

There's more sad news this morning with 2fm confirming the death of Larry Gogan, the most consummate of Irish broadcasters who always went the extra yard for homegrown bands.
"My abiding memory of Larry is him sitting at his desk out in Donnybrook with a stack of CDs that he'd meticulously work his way through," reflects Hot Press Deputy Editor, Stuart Clark. "He'd always say, 'Have you heard this great new band?' and very often I wouldn't have. Larry had his finger on the pulse and introduced so much great music to a mainstream daytime audience, which was incredibly important. And, of course, when it came to oldies he was encyclopedic. It's no exaggeration to say that he was the most-loved man in 2fm. Whenever a new DJ started, he'd have words of gentle encouragement for them. It was the same with young musicians - he'd give them honest feedback about what they were doing right and wrong. Bottom line, he was a gentleman."
When he retired last year from full-time 2fm duties and transferred to RTE's digital Gold service, U2's Larry Mullen sent him this letter, which was read out live on air by Tracy Clifford. It said: "Dear Larry, greetings from the sky. I'm scribbling this note at 35,000 feet, looking down on a partially frozen Potomac River as we prepare to land in Washington, hours late, due to Trump's shutdown!

"It's been a happy/sad kind of day. My youngest child has just celebrated his 18th birthday, and you are at the end of your time in 2fm. Youth is wasted on the young and age is just a number.

"I wanted to be home for both occasions; unfortunately I had to make this trip.

"We are alike in some ways: never that comfortable in the spotlight, but spending our careers there. You wear it better than I, with grace and dignity.

"I wanted to write, as it feels like the best way for me to honour you. It also means that only one of us gets embarrassed!

"It's never too late to thank you, or to recognise your part in our early success story, and that of so many others. Late night radio tastemakers, then and now, claim and receive credit, as they should, for their part in all our success stories.

"But you have been a constant on daytime 2fm for just 40 years. A little less glamorous or cool to some, maybe, but that's who you are: non-elitist, just playing the music you love.

"I'll miss you on 2fm - suppose I'll just have to press a button and find you on Gold.

"And that's what you are, Larry Gogan, pure gold."

Scroll down to read the thoughts of, among others, Joe Duffy, Eoghan McDermott, Maia Dunphy, Fergal Darcy, Willie O'Reilly, Marty Whelan and Ed Smith.

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our dear friend & colleague Larry Gogan. RIP Larry x pic.twitter.com/fDgxweM00I

— RTÉ 2FM (@RTE2fm) January 7, 2020

Larry Gogan RIP From ‘Just A MinuteQuiz” to the Golden Hour Larry was the soundtrack of our lives from the 1960s-2020s.I visited him ten days ago , he was in his usual great form with his loving family,his beautiful honeyed voice,the quick wit and deep intelligence shone through

— JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) January 7, 2020

Larry Gogan has died.

I'm welling up as I type this.

He was many things to me in the 19 years I worked with and knew him.

When I arrived in @RTE2fm first in 2001 he was one of the first welcoming and encouraging faces to the new lad just in the door.

And that never stopped. pic.twitter.com/OL9YVzEaI9

— Rick O'Shea (@rickoshea) January 7, 2020

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

I’m genuinely Shocked! This gentleman was the very reason so many of us got into radio. His professionalism, sharp wit and tight style was a standard only achieved with diligence and great personality R.I.P. Larry #larrygogan https://t.co/QMebWCOyTI

— Fergal D'Arcy (@FERGDARCY) January 7, 2020

Larry Gogan was and will always be the finest music presenter this country has ever produced. His elegance and genuine passion for pop tunes on the air was matched by his decency and kindness off it.

Every hour was 'the golden hour' when Larry took the mic.

RIP The Greatest. pic.twitter.com/wPtLG8giPB

— Ed Smith (@EdTodayFM) January 7, 2020

Oh no. 😢 Terribly sad to read this news. A nicer man you couldn’t meet, and don’t let the quizzes and golden hour cloud the fact that this man was championing new music for decades. Condolences to his lovely family. I know Florrie will be waiting with the kettle on. ❤️ https://t.co/UOAUSwC3Y4

— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) 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 (@foggynotions) January 7, 2020

I’ll never forget the day Larry Gogan was on after me on @RTE2fm. Before my own show had started I saw him arriving for work... over 3 hours early! This wasn’t just a music show, it was serious business and he adored it. I was insanely starstruck. RIP, Larry. A gent. #LarryGogan pic.twitter.com/UFRI2ZcRa7

— Declan Pierce (@DecPierce) January 7, 2020

Ah Larry, we’ll miss you terribly. You were the first DJ I worked with and always a gent . A life well lived . RIP #LarryGogan pic.twitter.com/IFpX7AgSCV

— willie o reilly (@willie_oreilly) January 7, 2020

Rest In Peace Larry Gogan. You were a legend and you were loved x pic.twitter.com/7nq6HyyrR4

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) January 7, 2020

We are all so deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of our dear friend and colleague, the inimitable Larry Gogan. Such lovely tributes coming in for a gentleman who will never be forgotten. #RIPLarry pic.twitter.com/P2yQKL1bZt

— Ryan Tubridy Show (@RyanTubridyShow) January 7, 2020

We look back on late broadcaster Larry Gogan's life and work in this photo gallery. https://t.co/KsWSTss3t2

— RTÉ (@rte) January 7, 2020

up until recently the longest serving @RTE2fm presenters were Larry Gogan Dave Fanning and myself. I was in lauded company. Larry was my friend Ta Bron orm Ill raise a glass to him today #larrygogan the true legend and a music dj is gone RIP pic.twitter.com/SKitvGdXls

— john kenny (@JohnKennyMedia) January 7, 2020