Death of Omagh country music legend

ONE of the biggest legends of Irish country music during the past 60 years, Brian Coll, has died.

Mr Coll, who was aged 79 and from Omagh, had thrilled fans during a glittering career which began at the height of the showband era.

His most popular band, ‘Brian Coll and the Buckaroos’ were a hit all over Ireland and beyond, playing to packed audiences whenever they toured.

But Mr Coll always had a special affinity with his home town of Omagh, where he was a well-known, respected and popular figure. His concerts here were inevitably always sell-outs.

Paying tribute to him, his close friend, Fr Brian D’Arcy, said he was ‘heartbroken’ to hear of the death of his friend. He described him as a ‘world class singer.’

Mr Coll’s death comes just weeks after the passing of another legend of the country music scene locally, Pio McCann.