The day the music died: Limerick music scene mourns the loss of a legend

BELOVED musician and “local legend” Joe Browne, has been remembered in Limerick.

A veteran performer and natural frontman of the Limerick music scene, Joe had also a long history within the industry - locally and nationally.

Until he retired from performing a couple of years ago, the singer of ‘If You See Me Getting Smaller’ commanded a large following.

A small funeral service took place at Shannon Crematorium on Tuesday for friends and family to celebrate Joe's life.

Tributes to Joe have been pouring in on social media and elsewhere, as his friends and fans have been sharing their condolences with his family.

His dear friend, John Steele, shared on Facebook: “A lot of us are heartbroken. Legend is a word that we Limerick people probably overuse, but there’s no doubt that a real legend has left us.

“Joe Browne was a proper Limerick legend. To borrow from my good friend, Eamonn Hehir, he taught generations of Limerick music lovers that country wasn’t Big Tom."

John commented he will write something more substantial, once his loss is fully processed. “I played many gigs with him, but he became very much one of my greatest friends. From when I played my first gig with him when I was very young, he encouraged me and gave me a chance to play with the best musicians. My heart is with Dawn and his grandkids. Limerick will miss him for being a genuine icon. I’ll miss him as a dear friend and mentor. My heart is heavy, but in the coming days, we’ll share very fond memories of him. Those memories and the incredible impact he had on a lot of us, will keep him alive for many years to come. I love you, Joe. Sleep well,” he added.

Met Éireann issue status yellow wind and rain warning for Limerick

Niall Quinn, from Limerick band, The Hitchers, also paid tribute to the well-regarded musician.

“We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of Limerick’s true greats. I first encountered Joe Browne in late 1988 as a 15-year-old learning his chops playing drums in a blues band with some bigger boys. One of them suggested we go see Joe doing one of his Sunday afternoon gigs in the Granary. I'd little difficulty discretely side-stepping the security as the place was rammed full - for a gig at like 4.30 or 5pm on a Sunday. Joe was backed that day by Ray, Ralph and Dave from Tuesday Blue...so of course they were known as Tuesday Browne and they were absolutely awesome. The lads adding extra bite to the warmth of Joe’s effortless delivery,” he said.

Niall remembered an afternoon gig in a pub that became a reference point for The Hitchers at their own rehearsals.

“It should be THAT tight. It should be THAT powerful. It should be THAT slick. Years later when The Hitchers were recording albums in Xeric and our label Murgatroid was of course based in the same building Joe was running a workshop up on the first floor servicing instruments and we'd be in and out of there where he always had a smile on, the chat ready and no shortage of anecdotes about the various gear he was working on. He'll be missed terribly and our thoughts are with Dawn and all the Browne family. Well played Joe,” he concluded.