Horslips' Johnny Fean remembered in Derry Month's Mind Mass

Members of the extended Horslips family will join members of the public in celebrating the life of Johnny Fean in a Month's Mind Mass in St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry, at 7.30pm on Friday June 2.

Announcing details of the Mass on the band’s social media sites, the group said: “Derry has been a constant throughout Horslips’ lifetime and many fans and friends - some of whom were unable to travel to Mr Fean’s funeral in Shannon – may find a comfort in being able to pay their respects to Johnny in St Eugene’s.”

The singer and guitarist - whose riffs drove along many of Horslips best known tunes - died peacefully on April 28 at his home in Shannon, with a funeral attended by many fans of the band as well as his wife Maggie and siblings Gail, Shearie, Donal, Ray and Corna.

The members of Horslips wrote of their guitarist bandmate: “For well over 50 years Johnny was our best friend, our creative collaborator, our guitar hero.

“Johnny wasn’t only one of the greatest guitar players ever, he was also the sweetest man in rock and roll. His immeasurable talent won him countless supporters throughout the years. We remain his biggest fans. He devoted his life to music and we’ll be forever thankful that he did.”

Following the guitarist’s death last month, Jim Nelis, the curator of the History of Horslips exhibition in the Orchard Gallery in 2004, posted a sympathy note on social media.

Jim said: “I am devastated to hear of the passing of Johnny Fean, my hero since I was 14 years old and the influence of my career path for nearly 30 years in the theatre business. No words would adequately describe my sadness but also my thanks for the best years of my life following Horslips.”

Johnny Fean RIP.

You can read an extensive interview with Jim Nelis on his Horslips memories, in Derry News on Thursday, June 1, 2023.