A FOUNDER member of a Co Down-based showband was last night described as a "great musician" following his death.
Tommy Tohill was the bass guitarist for the Hilton Showband, which throughout the boom era of the 1960s played to packed houses across Ireland, the UK and the US.
A talented entertained from Warrenpoint, Mr Tohill, who was in his 70s, passed away peacefully at Craigavon Area Hospital last Monday.
He was described last night by fellow band member Mickey Doran as the "closest friend I ever had".
Mr Doran spoke of his fond memories of Mr Tohill, who was the leader of the Hilton Showband, as they toured the world during their musical careers together.
"Tommy was one of the original members of the Hilton Showband, he was the bass player and leader of the band," said Mr Doran.
"Malachy O'Neill put us together, I was playing with the Clippertones at the time, but he got me to join and there was nine of us, including Eleanor Toner who was a wonderful voice. She went on to marry Pat Jennings.
"We started out in the early 1960s and went all over the world, including America three times and we played Vancouver as well.
"We played everywhere in Ireland, we became a professional band, we had such great times together."
Mr Doran said that more than 40 years on the road, there were still three original members playing including Mr Tohill,
"Up to about 10 years, there was still Tommy, Ricky McVeigh and me, that's when it slowed up," he said.
"He was such a nice fella, a great musician.
"I couldn't read music, but Tommy could so he used to hum it or sing it to me and I would get it.
"He still loved his music, a great bass guitarist and the closest friend I ever had."
Requiem Mass for Mr Tohill was celebrated at St Peter’s Church in Warrenpoint on Thursday.
He is survived by his wife Yvonne and children Rhonda, Jason, Andrew, Jonathan, Charlene and Aaron.
