Limerick mourns the loss of local legend Joe Browne

Hot Press is deeply saddened by the death of Joe Browne, a giant of the Limerick music scene who for over forty years soundtracked many a riotous rock ‘n’ roots night out.

Steeped in Americana, Joe was a natural frontman who instinctively knew how to work a crowd and invariably sent them home sweating.

Taking to social media, his friend and musical ally John Steele spoke for many when he said: “Today, 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. To borrow from my good friend, Eamonn Hehir, he taught generations of Limerick music lovers that country wasn’t Big Tom.
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 (his daughter) 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.”

Hitchers drummer and Cranberry Saw Us founder Niall Quinn adds: “We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of Limericks 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.

“An afternoon gig in a pub became a reference point for us thereafter at our 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.”

One of those Tuesday Blue/Browne band members Dave Keary, who went on to play with Van Morrison, says: "Joe, this old town owes you a multitude. Shining a light, kicking down the doors of the conventional and the safe, listening to the young, nurturing the new. Always nourishing us with your songs and that voice... always with your voice. There is no more to say that hasn't been already said, Safe travels, Daithí x."

Also at those Tuesday Browne gigs was Hot Press Assistant Editor Stuart Clark who says: “The musicianship was off the scale. What always shone through was Joe’s passion for the music he played and determination to make everybody in the room dance their socks off.

“His knowledge of all types of music was unparalleled but not in a show off-y way – he just wanted to share the good stuff with you. His ability and professionalism was something that successive generations of young Limerick musicians aspired to. In a parallel universe, he’s on his twenty-third album and headlining stadiums, but in this one he’ll be remembered as a true gentleman who contributed enormously to the cultural well-being of the city he loved and who in return loved him.”