The “Henry Street” golden era of Irish broadcasting has lost its golden voice. Before moving to Donnybrook, the station greeted the nation from Dublin city centre. Larry Gogan picked up his life-long zest for music by listening to the American Forces Network Europe and Radio Luxembourg.
His fresh and breezy voice cast a shaft of sunlight that made people feel warmer through the gloom of the 1980s recession.
He helped the nation find its own beat from the time he first spun the Boomtown Rats’ ‘Like Clockwork’ on the turntables in 1979, at the birth of RTÉ Radio 2.
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His reputation grew over the decades as he became a true legend of the airwaves.
He brought his own brand of ‘light’ to light entertainment; his own style of ‘easy’ to easy listening.
Gogan had a no-nonsense ability to convince listeners that his was the voice of everyman.
The reality was different. He was a perfectionist who planned and rehearsed everything.
He kept abreast of each shift and trend in musical tastes, and his passion for music brought energy and verve to every show.
Always self-effacing and modest, his geniality proved irresistible to generations.
He never took cheap-shots. In his famous Just a Minute Quiz, his stock response – even if a contestant got minus one out of 10 – was: “Sure they didn’t suit you.”
The mortified contestant may have been burned alive by the questions, but Gogan’s innate decency always spared their blushes.
He understood it took courage for someone to call in and test their knowledge on air. The temptation to have a laugh at the guest’s expense, even if it might boost ratings, was always resisted.
If the unique logic employed by some of the participants would have stumped any other host, Gogan took it all in his stride.
For instance: he once asked a caller. “What is the capital of France?” “F”, came the answer. But Gogan never flinched. Hard to imagine in the age of Google.
It was never meant to be on a par with ‘University Challenge’ but was right for its time, and a young population still trying to tune in to its own frequency. He was never high brow or middle brow – he was just Larry, always ready to embrace the new.
“Life moves on, where would you be if it didn’t?” he mused. He skipped over the years by being both positive and keeping it simple. If it sounds easy it was anything but.
About his last incarnation at Montrose, he said; “It completely amazes me. I’m going to RTÉ Gold, which is a digital station that you can get on your phone, your computer and your TV.”
An ability to shine at the top with no loss of enthusiasm marked him apart.
He led audiences from the “wireless” to vinyl, and on into the tech age.
All he ever wanted to do was “to talk and play records”. Few, if any, would do it better.
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Home » Analysis & Comment » Editorial: 'Larry was a legend who helped nation find its beat'
Editorial: 'Larry was a legend who helped nation find its beat'
The “Henry Street” golden era of Irish broadcasting has lost its golden voice. Before moving to Donnybrook, the station greeted the nation from Dublin city centre. Larry Gogan picked up his life-long zest for music by listening to the American Forces Network Europe and Radio Luxembourg.
His fresh and breezy voice cast a shaft of sunlight that made people feel warmer through the gloom of the 1980s recession.
He helped the nation find its own beat from the time he first spun the Boomtown Rats’ ‘Like Clockwork’ on the turntables in 1979, at the birth of RTÉ Radio 2.
Please log in or register with Independent.ie for free access to this article.
Log In
New to Independent.ie? Create an account
His reputation grew over the decades as he became a true legend of the airwaves.
He brought his own brand of ‘light’ to light entertainment; his own style of ‘easy’ to easy listening.
Gogan had a no-nonsense ability to convince listeners that his was the voice of everyman.
The reality was different. He was a perfectionist who planned and rehearsed everything.
He kept abreast of each shift and trend in musical tastes, and his passion for music brought energy and verve to every show.
Always self-effacing and modest, his geniality proved irresistible to generations.
He never took cheap-shots. In his famous Just a Minute Quiz, his stock response – even if a contestant got minus one out of 10 – was: “Sure they didn’t suit you.”
The mortified contestant may have been burned alive by the questions, but Gogan’s innate decency always spared their blushes.
He understood it took courage for someone to call in and test their knowledge on air. The temptation to have a laugh at the guest’s expense, even if it might boost ratings, was always resisted.
If the unique logic employed by some of the participants would have stumped any other host, Gogan took it all in his stride.
For instance: he once asked a caller. “What is the capital of France?” “F”, came the answer. But Gogan never flinched. Hard to imagine in the age of Google.
It was never meant to be on a par with ‘University Challenge’ but was right for its time, and a young population still trying to tune in to its own frequency. He was never high brow or middle brow – he was just Larry, always ready to embrace the new.
“Life moves on, where would you be if it didn’t?” he mused. He skipped over the years by being both positive and keeping it simple. If it sounds easy it was anything but.
About his last incarnation at Montrose, he said; “It completely amazes me. I’m going to RTÉ Gold, which is a digital station that you can get on your phone, your computer and your TV.”
An ability to shine at the top with no loss of enthusiasm marked him apart.
He led audiences from the “wireless” to vinyl, and on into the tech age.
All he ever wanted to do was “to talk and play records”. Few, if any, would do it better.
Source: Read Full Article