Joe Duffy has described him as “one of nature’s gentlemen”.
Sonny Knowles, the Dublin-born singer who entertained crowds during Ireland’s showband era died at the age of 86 on Thursday 15 November.
He passed away peacefully in his home.
Speaking on RTE’s Liveline with Joe Duffy, music promoter Pat Egan said that Knowles was a “modest man in many ways”.
Fellow performer Sil Fox said that today is a “sad day for all of us who worked with him, and his fans who went to see him”.
Duffy himself took to Twitter to pay his condolences to Knowles, describing him as “one of nature’s gentlemen”.
Personally I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend Sonny Knowles. I idolized him. One of nature’s gentlemen. My condolences to Sheila Geraldine Gary and Ashling his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Joe Duffy
— JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) November 15, 2018
Plenty of other fans took to Twitter to pay their respect to the entertainer, with one fan going as far as to describe him as “one of Ireland’s greatest entertainers”:
Sad news of the death of one of Ireland's greatest entertainers – Sonny Knowles. A true gentleman that I had the pleasure of introducing on stage. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam pic.twitter.com/529OYn3N5V
— Ger Sweeney (@gersweeney67) November 15, 2018
Sonny Knowles (1932-2018), Dubliner, Singer, Cabaret Star, Show Band Star, Window Washer & Snappy Dresser. Legend. The limelight has dimmed#ArDheisDé pic.twitter.com/Z9lPwgqv0P
— Dr Robert Bohan (@RobertBohan) November 15, 2018
Sad to hear of the death of Sonny Knowles today. Met him a few times and was always lovely to chat to… My Mam was delighted to meet him a few years ago in this pic… #sonnyknowles pic.twitter.com/ITQrmJ16Ph
— Bryan Shortall (@frbryanshortall) November 15, 2018
A classic songbook gig Sonny Knowles performed for the Variety Club ranks as one of my all-time faves. A master craftsman. Top singer, musician & a true gentleman R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/TLaPffruAa
— Eamon Carr OfficialCarrtogram (@carrtogram) November 15, 2018
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