Thursday, April 23, 2020

RIP Derrick Fitzgerald: My Lonely Heart: Thunderbirds

Condolences to the family of DERRICK FITZGERALD (image: far left) who had passed away in Singapore. Derrick was a member of the legendary pop guitar group, The Thunderbirds, which was formed in 1962 and the lead guitarist and anchor of the band.

Together they have a top hit that is still being played on radio today and remembered by many Singaporeans. My Lonely Heart was at the Number One spot in Singapore and Malaysia in 1968. The group has also recorded many originals and covers in the 1960's.

RIP Derrick.

A Tribute To Derrick from Michael Bangar:

On behalf of family, relatives friends and fans we bid farewell to our brother Derrick, a great guitar player, vocalist and all round musician.

Thanks for the many years of music we all had the pleasure of sharing with you and your members and ex-members of the The Thunderbirds. Your legacy will always live on in the classic song your brother Harvey wrote and you both recorded with your band, My Lonely Heart.

Cherrio, brother Derrick! May you rest in peace.

Connections:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/12/singapore-60s-music-harvey-fitzgerald.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/09/thunderbird-derrick-fitzgerald-raising.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/07/barry-walker-says-local-60s-bands-of.html

18 comments:

  1. Bird Dog23.4.20

    RIP Derrick, your music lives on forever in the airwaves

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  2. Thank you Bird Dog.
    Whoever you are, you always appear at the most appropriate moment to support both the blogger and its current content.
    Appreciate.
    RIP Derrick.

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  3. It is sad to see our local talent pass away and so fade into the annals of time. Yes the Thunderbirds were part of music history and we can only remember them by the music they left behind.RIP Derrick may God grant you the eternal rest and a chance to play your music with the angels.

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  4. Thanks Cedric for the personal note to a great guitarist and music friend.

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  5. Richard Paul Michael23.4.20

    RIP Derrick. Writing this with My Lonely Heart in the background. The best original song in the history of SG music, which feature the distintive sound of your slide.

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  6. RAYMOND CHO24.4.20

    RIP DERRICK

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  7. LIM KUAN MIN24.4.20

    RIP DERRICK

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  8. STEPHEN HAN24.4.20

    Saw Derrick and the Thunderbird couple of times and like his voice and guitar playing.

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  9. JENNY LAW24.4.20

    Till today MY LONELY HEART is still loved by many people.

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  10. CEDRIC CORK24.4.20

    RIP Derrick friends in music.

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  11. TAN TENG TENG24.4.20

    OMG

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  12. RICHARD PAUL M.24.4.20

    RIP Derrick.
    Writing this while remembering the first time I heard My Lonely Heart over Radio Singapore.
    I was amazed by the slide intro which I mistaken to be a Hawaiian guitar.
    Little did I knew it could be done with a Fender.
    Many considered its the best SG original & that slide intro your legacy.
    Thank you for the music.

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  13. FRED CHING24.4.20

    RIP DERRICK and sincere condolences to his loved ones.

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  14. ANN ROWENA LIM24.4.20

    WITH A FLICKERING
    LIGHTED CANDLE
    REST IN PEACE

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  15. It is sad to hear our local artiste, Derrick of the famed Thunderbirds, passed away. The band was very popular with Singapore & Malaysia in the 60s and 70s as I read about them from the "Radio Weekly" then. The song My Lonely Heart is the band's masterpiece till today if the younger generations care to listen to it and this song was one the listeners' favorite on airwaves & Redifusion then. I also remember Heather used to be a vocalist with the Thunderbirds. May the rest of the band's members stay healthy. RIP Derrick.

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  16. DERRICK IS SINGING WITH THE ANGELS NOW. R.I.P. DEAREST FRIEND. I WAS A HUGE FAN OF YOURS.
    MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.

    I NOW LIVE IN VANCOUVER B.C. ~PAT~

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  17. MY TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF DERRICK.
    THANKS FOR LISTENING TO MY RENDITION OF "MY LONELY HEART."

    CLICK ON THIS LINK:
    Http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/c072fdf3b

    I HOPE IT WORKS.

    ~~PAT FROM VANCOUVER B.C.~~

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  18. Thanks everyone for your words. I’m Melissa Fitzgerald. My dad, Derrick, will be loved and remembered fondly for his voice and his guitar. May he rest in eternal peace & make sweet music up in heaven ❤️

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