I am so sorry to hear this news of Ian’s illness Jane… My heart goes out to all of you… I first saw Ian when I first saw BLUESVILLE in 1964… featuring the two coolest dudes in CBC Monkstown school Mick Molloy and Deke O’Brien… Robbie Brennan and I used to look at them in their sunglasses and their black shirts with the collars turned up as the cool-walked down to the school… But Bluesville was a whole new ball game… looking and sounding like nothing we’d ever seen or heard before with Barry Richardson playing harmonica in Evening Dress, Peter Adler in black shades (held together with Sellotape) playing snarling sax, Ian Whitcomb prancing around the piano in American Football gear and huge sneakers… and sitting imperiously behind them in immaculate suit, shirt and tie clinically driving them on was the immaculate Ian McGarry on immaculate drums… Robbie (no mean drummer himself) was transfixed… Ian’s drumming was so meticulous and precise… the heart beat of the band… and as for that unique skip-beat on ‘You Turn Me On’… His pièce de résistance!… Many years later I had the great pleasure of being directed by Ian on FAIR CITY and once again the attention to detail and meticulous professionalism… A thorough gentleman… A lovely, affable, funny and friendly man… I wish you well Ian… My love to you Jane and to your lovely daughters as you mind this special man.
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- Jonathan Ryan