Bagatelle frontman Liam Reilly has died aged 65. Reilly was one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters in Irish music, having penned classics such as Summer In Dublin. The sad news was confirmed by his family, who stated that he died suddenly but peacefully at home. A statement read: ‘We know that his many friends and countless fans around the world will share in our grief as we mourn his loss, but celebrate the extraordinary talent of the man whose songs meant so much to so many.’ His cause of death has yet to be confirmed. Singer-songwriter Gerry Madigan wrote on Facebook: ‘Today I got the sad news from my old friend Wally McConville that Liam Reilly passed away today. Liam was one of the founding members (along with Wally) of Bagatelle, and writer/composer of the massive hit single, “Summer In Dublinâ€. ‘I can recall vividly the day in 1980 when I pitched Bagatelle with their song, Summer In Dublin, to Adrian Cronin, producer of RTE’s The Late Late Show. I remember that night in the Green Room as they launched that single on the show – the last show of that current season with Foster and Allen as the other music guest. And the rest is history. The band enjoyed phenomenal success for the next 40 years, and Liam gained global recognition as a songwriter. ‘I was only talking with him a few weeks ago and commiserated on the fact that he was missing the opportunity to perform at live gigs, due to the lockdown restrictions and closures of so many venues. ‘The music industry has lost another wonderful talent, and Ireland has lost one of its greatest songwriters. He gave the world such amazing songs, shared his talent generously, and those songs and his music will go on forever – the music never dies.’ Journalist James Rogers: ‘Sad news breaking tonight about the death of Bagatelle frontman Liam Reilly. One of Ireland’s greatest songwriters, he leaves an unbelievable legacy of songs. ‘Only set to turn 66 on Jan 29th, he has been taken far too soon. Hopefully he gets remembered in Dundalk as he should.’ Radio presenter PJ Coogan tweeted: ‘The great Liam Reilly has passed away. Singer, songwriter, composer, entertainer, lovable rogue & I’m very proud to say, friend. Rest in Peace, Maestro.’ Reilly, born in Dundalk in Ireland, formed Bagatelle along with Wally McConville in 1978, with bassist Ken Doyle and guitarist John O’Brien joining the group. The band gained huge success in Ireland with songs including Second Violin and Summer In Dublin, which has been covered by many artists. Speaking about the latter to author Brian Kennedy for the band biography That Summer in Dublin, Reilly said: ‘I remember I went to see The Boomtown Rats in Moran’s Hotel and the support act was this guy singing a Bob Seger song Rock & Roll Never Forgets. ‘The next thing I’m walking up Grafton Street, that’s when the buses could come down Grafton Street, with Seger’s song embedded in my b
