Northern Ireland

Horslips guitarist Johnny Fean was 'sweetest man in rock and roll'

Guitarist Johnny Fean (far left) pictured on stage at the Odyssey in Belfast with Horslips in 2009. Picture, Justin Kernoghan.
Guitarist Johnny Fean (far left) pictured on stage at the Odyssey in Belfast with Horslips in 2009. Picture, Justin Kernoghan. Guitarist Johnny Fean (far left) pictured on stage at the Odyssey in Belfast with Horslips in 2009. Picture, Justin Kernoghan.
By Allan Preston

Irish trad rock group Horslips has announced the death of their guitarist Johnny Fean, describing him as "the sweetest man in rock and roll".

In a statement, the group said he died at his home in Shannon on Friday morning.

"Johnny wasn't only one of the greatest guitar players ever, he was also the sweetest man in rock and roll," the band said.

"His immeasurable talent won him countless supporters throughout the years. We remain his biggest fans.

Passing on their condolences to his wife Maggie and extended family, the band added: "He devoted his life to music and we'll be forever thankful that he did."

Celebrated for popularising the genre of Celtic rock, the bands biggest hits included Dearg Doom and Trouble with a Capital T.

Performing on all 10 of the group's albums, Faean grew up in Limerick and Shannon where his father was an airport worker who also played the banjo.

He previously told Lyric FM that Shannon had been a blessing for his musical education.

"I was very lucky living in Shannon because there were a lot of American families there with sons and daughters going into their teens," he said.

"The music they were listening to in 1962, they actually brought the LPs and singles over to Shannon and I got to hear The Supremes and Tamla Motown possibly before anybody in Ireland."