Farewell to Omagh’s ‘Mr Entertainer’

JOHN Taggart, the beloved Omagh performer known to many as ‘Mr Entertainer’ has died, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable musical journey that spanned more than four decades.

Born in Starrs Crescent, Gallows Hill, John was steeped in music from an early age. A gifted vocalist with a deep passion for performance, after leaving Omagh CBS he joined Paddy Phillips’ Powermen showband where he played alongside the equally young, Frank Chisum.

In the late 1960s, he formed The Colours alongside Bobby Moore and Liam Nugent, one of the first local groups to break into the North-West’s pub and hotel circuit.

From there, John’s career went from strength to strength.

He fronted several successful showbands including Aquarius and The Jay Tee Set, before going solo in the 1980s – a move that made him a fixture in local venues, where a loyal following of ‘Taggartites’ would never miss a show.

John also brought his talents far beyond Tyrone, playing to packed houses in New York and Chicago, and was often encouraged to turn fully professional.

John’s voice, charisma and on-stage generosity made him a standout performer. Whether belting out the hits of Tom Jones, Neil Diamond or Elvis, or taking on musical theatre in Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, he always gave audiences his all.

John was also well-known for running the family shoe repair business in the town, which was established by his father in 1954.

John died peacefully on Monday.

His Requiem Mass will take place in the Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday (which can be viewed on Drumragh Parish Webcam) with interment in St Mary’s Cemetery, Drumragh.