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Garry Roberts

Garrick Roberts (16 June 1950 – 9 November 2022), known as Garry Roberts, was an Irish musician best known as the founding lead guitarist of the punk and new wave band The Boomtown Rats.^[1]^[2] Born in Dublin, Ireland, Roberts formed his first band while still in school with future Boomtown Rats drummer Simon Crowe.^[3] In 1975, he co-founded The Boomtown Rats in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, alongside vocalist Bob Geldof, bassist Pete Briquette, keyboardist Johnnie Fingers, and Crowe, with Roberts suggesting the band's name inspired by Woody Guthrie's autobiography Bound for Glory.^[4]^[3] The group quickly rose to prominence in the late 1970s UK punk scene, becoming the first Irish band to achieve a UK number-one single with "Rat Trap" in 1978, followed by another chart-topper, "I Don't Like Mondays," in 1979—a song inspired by a real-life school shooting and written by Geldof.^[2]^[3] Roberts' distinctive guitar style, characterized by a "storm of massive considered noise" produced through overdriven amplifiers, was central to the band's energetic sound and helped drive hits like "Like Clockwork" and "Banana Republic."^[4]^[2] The Boomtown Rats released six studio albums between 1977 and 1984, including The Fine Art of Surfacing (1979) and V Deep (1982), before disbanding in 1986 amid shifting musical trends.^[3]^[5] In the intervening years, Roberts worked as a live sound engineer for acts like Simply Red and contributed to Geldof's 2011 solo album How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell, while also pursuing careers as an independent financial adviser and central heating engineer.^[3] The band reformed in 2013 without Fingers, releasing their first studio album in 36 years, Citizens of Boomtown, in 2020, on which Roberts continued to play lead guitar.^[2]^[3] Roberts died on 9 November 2022 at the age of 72, with the cause not publicly disclosed; bandmates and fans remembered him as "Gazzer," the energetic force behind the group's raw, influential performances that captured Ireland's social changes in the era.^[1]^[4]^[3]

Early life

Upbringing in Dublin

Garrick Roberts, known professionally as Garry Roberts, was born on 16 June 1950 in Dublin, Ireland. He grew up in Dún Laoghaire, a seaside suburb south of the city, during a time when Ireland was navigating the challenges of post-war recovery. Although Ireland had remained neutral during World War II, the 1950s and early 1960s were characterized by economic stagnation, high unemployment, and widespread emigration, with over 400,000 people leaving the country in the 1950s alone as families sought opportunities abroad. This socio-economic context shaped the conservative, insular society in which Roberts came of age, marked by limited industrial development and reliance on agriculture.^[5]^[6] Roberts' family background provided an early connection to the arts. His father, Rex Roberts, was a professional photographer who ran Rex Roberts Studios in Dublin, capturing aerial views, industrial scenes, and portraits that documented mid-20th-century Irish life. Additionally, Rex played double bass in a prominent dance band, The Melodists, during the 1940s, which introduced Garry to live music performances and instruments from a young age. This dual exposure to creative professions in a modest household influenced Roberts' developing interests, though his childhood was otherwise typical of middle-class Dublin suburbia, involving local community ties and family routines amid the era's austerity.^[7]^[8] Initially attending a local high school in Dublin, Roberts was later enrolled at the Quaker-run boarding school Newtown School in Waterford around his mid-teens, reportedly after some behavioral issues prompted the move—bribed, according to family lore, with the promise of a bicycle. It was at Newtown that he first met Simon Crowe, a fellow student who would later become the drummer for The Boomtown Rats. The boarding school environment, with its emphasis on discipline and community, contrasted with Dublin's urban setting but allowed Roberts to form lasting friendships in a more structured setting. During this period, he began showing an early interest in guitar, sparked by school dances and performances.^[5]^[8]

Musical influences and first bands

Roberts' early musical influences were rooted in the British Invasion and blues traditions of the 1960s. He drew inspiration from bands such as the Small Faces, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and artists like Elmore James. Specifically, Roberts admired guitarists including Jeff Beck from the Yardbirds, the Butterfield Blues Band, and early blues figures like Blind Lemon Jefferson, which shaped his raw, energetic playing style. He initially took piano and clarinet lessons before switching to guitar after seeing older students perform at a school dance.^[9]^[5] During his school years at the Quaker Newtown School in Waterford, a co-educational boarding school, Roberts formed his first band alongside his close friend Simon Crowe in the mid-1960s. He served as the initial lead singer in the group. Initially, there were too many guitarists, so Crowe, who had a Hofner semi-acoustic guitar, was assigned drums as the last member to join. The band performed covers of their influences at school dances, fostering Roberts' passion for live performance.^[5]^[9]^[3] After leaving school around age 18 in the late 1960s, Roberts spent three autumns picking hops for Guinness in the Worcestershire-Herefordshire area of England while continuing to play music. He and Crowe played in amateur bands around Dublin, including gigs in local pubs and venues during the early 1970s. These performances were informal and unpaid, often covering rock and blues standards amid Ireland's emerging music scene. Following a brief hiatus where Crowe even sold his drums, Roberts, then in his early 20s, convinced his friend to resume music seriously, marking the transition to pursuing it full-time by the mid-1970s.^[9]^[8]

The Boomtown Rats

Formation and breakthrough

Garry Roberts co-founded The Boomtown Rats in 1975 in Dún Laoghaire, near Dublin, alongside Bob Geldof on vocals, Johnnie Fingers on keyboards, Pete Briquette on bass, Simon Crowe on drums, and Gerry Cott on rhythm guitar.^[10]^[11] The band initially performed under the name Nightlife Thugs, playing their debut gig on October 31, 1975, at Bolton Street College of Technology in Dublin, where they delivered a back-to-basics rock and R&B set that captured the emerging punk ethos.^[11]^[12] Roberts, as the band's lead guitarist, played a pivotal role in shaping their raw, energetic sound through his aggressive, buzzing guitar riffs that infused their music with punk-influenced intensity and youthful rebellion.^[13]^[2] Following a series of early performances across Ireland that built a local following, The Boomtown Rats relocated to London in late 1976 to seek greater exposure in the UK's burgeoning punk and new wave scene.^[14]^[15] Their dynamic live shows quickly attracted attention from industry figures, leading to a signing with Ensign Records in 1977 under label founder Nigel Grange.^[16]^[14] The band's self-titled debut album, The Boomtown Rats, was released in September 1977, featuring Roberts' prominent guitar work on tracks that blended raw punk energy with new wave flair.^[10]^[17] The album's lead single, "Looking After No. 1", marked their breakthrough, reaching number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and establishing the band as a forceful presence in the British music landscape.^[15]^[11]

Key albums and hits

The Boomtown Rats achieved significant commercial success with their albums during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly A Tonic for the Troops (1978), which peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and spent 44 weeks in the top 100.^[18] The album featured the band's breakthrough single "Rat Trap," released in October 1978, which reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks and became the first UK number-one single by an Irish band.^[18]^[13] Garry Roberts' lead guitar work on "Rat Trap" exemplified his aggressive riffs and energetic solos, blending punk rawness with emerging new wave melodies to propel the track's driving rhythm.^[19] The follow-up album, The Fine Art of Surfacing (1979), also performed strongly, reaching number 7 on the UK Albums Chart with 26 weeks in the charts.^[18] Its lead single, "I Don't Like Mondays," released in July 1979, topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks and drew inspiration from the real-life Cleveland Elementary School shooting in San Diego on January 29, 1979, where 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two people and injured nine others, reportedly citing her dislike for Mondays as motivation.^[18]^[20] Roberts contributed punchy guitar lines that underscored the song's tense, narrative-driven structure, enhancing its punk-infused urgency.^[21] Another key track from the album, "Someone's Looking at You" (1980), peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.^[18] The band's fourth studio album, Mondo Bongo (1981), climbed to number 6 on the UK Albums Chart, though it charted for only 7 weeks, signaling a slight commercial dip amid evolving musical trends.^[18] Throughout these recordings, Roberts' guitar style—characterized by raw, riff-heavy playing that fused punk energy with melodic new wave elements—served as the sonic backbone, driving the band's sound and complementing Bob Geldof's lyrics.^[19] The success of these works earned recognition, including two Ivor Novello Awards in 1980 for "I Don't Like Mondays" in the categories of Best Pop Song and Outstanding British Lyric, acknowledging the songwriting contributions of the band, with Roberts' arrangements playing a key role.^[22]

Hiatus, reunion, and departure

The Boomtown Rats disbanded in 1986, two years after the release of their sixth studio album In the Long Grass, as frontman Bob Geldof increasingly devoted his energies to activism, including organizing the landmark Live Aid concert in 1985 to combat global famine.^[23]^[24] The band reformed in 2013 with Geldof, Roberts, bassist Pete Briquette, and drummer Simon Crowe, initially for a series of live performances that reignited interest in their catalog of punk-infused rock hits.^[25] Roberts, as the band's lead guitarist, actively participated in these reunion efforts, contributing his signature guitar work to tours across the UK and Ireland, such as the headline slot at the Isle of Wight Festival, and later extending to shows in the United States.^[26]^[27]^[28] This renewed collaboration culminated in the band's first new studio album in 36 years, Citizens of Boomtown, released in March 2020, where Roberts played a key role in shaping the record's raw, energetic sound through his guitar contributions and involvement in the creative process.^[29]^[2] The band has continued to tour, including a 50th anniversary tour in 2025, and released the compilation album The First 50 Years: Songs of Boomtown Glory in September 2025.^[30]

Later career

Non-musical professions

Following the disbandment of The Boomtown Rats in 1985, Roberts transitioned into live sound engineering in the late 1980s, providing technical support for tours and recordings by artists including Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Simply Red.^[28]^[5] In the 1990s, seeking greater financial stability amid the band's collapse and personal commitments such as his partner's pregnancy, Roberts retrained and spent 15 years as an independent financial adviser in the life insurance sector, viewing the role primarily as a sales position that offered reliable income absent in music.^[28]^[5] This shift was prompted by the emotional toll of the group's end, including post-traumatic stress and the eclipsing fame of frontman Bob Geldof, which left Roberts feeling overshadowed and compelled to prioritize security over performing.^[28] Later, Roberts moved into the trades, retraining as a central heating engineer and establishing himself in this profession in the UK, where he maintained the work as a steady occupation while occasionally re-engaging with music on a limited basis.^[5]^[31]

Other musical projects and teaching

In the late 1990s, Roberts resumed performing by joining The Velcro Flies, a rhythm and blues four-piece band, alongside Boomtown Rats drummer Simon Crowe, with the group playing gigs in pubs and clubs across the West Midlands.^[32] This local ensemble marked his return to live music after a period away from the spotlight, focusing on blues-influenced rock covers and originals in a more relaxed, community-oriented setting. The band continued sporadically into the 2000s, providing Roberts an outlet for his guitar work outside major tours.^[24] By 2008, Roberts and Crowe formed The Rats, a side project that echoed the early punk energy of The Boomtown Rats by performing material from their first three albums.^[32] This lower-profile venture involved occasional gigs, allowing Roberts to revisit his foundational influences in an intimate format without the pressures of international fame. The group's style retained the raw, guitar-driven sound Roberts was known for, though it remained a niche endeavor with limited recordings or widespread tours.^[5] Starting in the 2000s, Roberts dedicated time to education by conducting guitar workshops for schoolchildren in Herefordshire, where he resided, introducing young participants to electric guitar techniques and the historical roots of rock music in blues traditions.^[5] These sessions emphasized practical skills, such as riff construction and amplification basics, while fostering an appreciation for pop and rock evolution, reflecting Roberts' own early inspirations from 1960s guitarists.^[33] In the 2010s, Roberts made select guest appearances, including contributions to Bob Geldof's solo recordings, where his distinctive lead guitar added texture to tracks drawing on their shared punk heritage.^[5]

Personal life and death

Family and residence

Roberts relocated from Ireland to London in late 1976 along with his bandmates in The Boomtown Rats, seeking opportunities in the burgeoning UK music scene. Initially settling in the capital, he immersed himself in the punk and new wave environment that propelled the band's early success.^[10] In later years, Roberts established a long-term residence in Bromyard, Herefordshire, where he lived for over a decade until his death.^[33] The rural setting of Bromyard provided a quieter contrast to his earlier urban life in London, allowing him to integrate into the local community as "one of the locals." Roberts maintained a notably private personal life. He was survived by his wife Allison, to whom he had been married for 17 years, and their three children.^[2] Outside of music, he engaged in local activities, including performing at a free gig at Bromyard's Bay Horse pub in 2010 alongside former bandmates and supporting community events such as the Bromyard Speed Festival in 2016.^[34]^[33]

Illness and passing

In the early 2020s, Garry Roberts' health began to decline, leading to his withdrawal from The Boomtown Rats' reunion tours since 2013, where he had been a key performer until health issues arose.^[4] Roberts died on 9 November 2022 in Bromyard, Herefordshire, at the age of 72, following a brief illness, though the specific cause was not publicly disclosed.^[33]^[2] The news was announced the same day by his bandmates Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette, and Simon Crowe in a joint statement, describing Roberts as "the guy who summed up the sense of who The Rats are" and praising his foundational role since the band's formation in 1975.^[4] They highlighted his irreplaceable contributions, noting that his sound would never be forgotten and expressing profound grief over the loss of their friend and guitarist.^[35] Public tributes poured in from the Irish music community, including messages from fellow musicians and fans honoring his pioneering work in punk and new wave.^[21]

References

[1]
Garry Roberts - IMDb
Garry Roberts was born on 16 June 1950. He was an actor, known for The Boomtown Rats: Lookin' After No. 1 (1977), The Boomtown Rats: Rat Trap (1978)
[2]
The Boomtown Rats Guitarist Garry Roberts Has Died at 72 - Loudwire
Nov 10, 2022 · Garry Roberts, the founding lead guitarist of the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats, died this week at the age of 72, according to the BBC.
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Garry Roberts, founding guitarist of The Boomtown Rats, dies aged 72
Nov 10, 2022 · Born in Dublin in 1950, Garry Roberts formed his first band with his future Boomtown Rats bandmate Simon Crowe while the pair were still at ...Missing: biography - - | Show results with:biography - -
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Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts dies aged 72 - BBC
Nov 9, 2022 · Guitarist and founding member of the Boomtown Rats, Garry Roberts, has died aged 72, the band has announced. He was the "guy who summed up ...
[5]
Garry Roberts, guitarist who co-founded the Boomtown Rats – obituary
Nov 15, 2022 · Garry Roberts, who has died aged 72, was a co-founder and the lead guitarist of the Boomtown Rats, the Irish band who rode the punk wave with hits such as Rat ...
[6]
An Overview of the Years 1941-1959 - Ask About Ireland
In Ireland the 1950s were marked by economic stagnation and emigration. Ireland was admitted to the United Nations, sending the first Irish UN soldiers to serve ...
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Rex Roberts Photographic Collection, PC - NLI catalogue
Roberts, Rex, photographer. Summary: Features aerial views, industrial images, and studio portraits. Format: Photo. Published ...
[8]
When I left the Rats it was a real wrench | Worcester News
Sep 19, 2006 · His father, Rex Roberts, played bass with one of Ireland's top dance bands and when Garrick clapped eyes and ears on the school rock group ...Missing: double | Show results with:double
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Interview - Simon Crowe and Garry Roberts
### Summary of Garry Roberts' and Simon Crowe's Early Musical Experiences (Pre-Boomtown Rats)
[10]
The Boomtown Rats - Höfner
The Rats were formed in Dun Laoghaire, near Dublin, Ireland, in 1975 by Garry Roberts (guitar); Johnnie Fingers (keyboards); Simon Crowe (drums); Gerry Cott ( ...
[11]
Boomtown Rats - Irish Rock Discography
... Rat Trap" which was the first ever UK No.1 by an Irish band. The second ... The Boomtown Rats featured on BBC's In Concert series in 1978. Recorded ...
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Boomtown Rats - Concerts Wiki - Fandom
October 31, 1975 Bolton St College of Technology, Dublin, IRE (This was the "Rats" first gig. At the time they were known as the "Nightlife Thugs".
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United by a shared love of punk and new wave influences, The Boomtown Rats quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the burgeoning Irish music scene.
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Boomtown Rats, The - Nostalgia Central
The Boomtown Rats were formed in Dun Laoghaire (near Dublin), Ireland in 1975 by former NME journalist Bob Geldof (after he was thrown out of Canada where ...
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Don't like Mondays? Neither do the Boomtown Rats (VIDEOS)
Sep 15, 2014 · Dublin before moving to London and signing with Ensign Records in 1976. ... the Boomtown Rats' first single to make it to the UK top ten. All ...
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The Boomtown Rats - Punk 77
The Boomtown Rats subsequently became the first new-wave band to be offered ... album's release as well as the U.S. issue of “Rat Trap”. While in ...
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BOOMTOWN RATS songs and albums | full Official Chart history
RAT TRAP cover art. RAT TRAP THE BOOMTOWN RATS. Peak: 1 ... I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS BOOMTOWN RATS. Peak: 32,; Weeks: 1. Read more icon Close ...
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Garry Roberts was the glue that held The Boomtown Rats together
Nov 10, 2022 · Once the most interesting pop group in Britain, the Rats inspired a generation – largely thanks to the punk passion of their late guitarist.Missing: influences | Show results with:influences
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'I Don't Like Mondays': School Shooting and Gun Policy - NPR
Jan 31, 2005 · In 1979, Brenda Spencer opened fire with a rifle at the Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, Calif., killing two adults and injuring ...
[21]
Boomtown Rats pay tribute as guitarist Garry Roberts passes away
Nov 9, 2022 · Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof and other band members have led tributes to the band's founding member Garry Roberts who passed away this morning at the age ...
[22]
On this day in 1980: The Boomtown Rats win big at the Ivor Novello ...
May 9, 2019 · 39 years ago today, The Boomtown Rats' hit single, 'I Don't Like Mondays', won the best pop song and outstanding lyric categories at the annual Ivor Novello ...
[23]
Interview: Bob Geldof and The Rise and Fall of The Boomtown Rats
Apr 28, 2020 · Bob Geldof is back in his home town to promote a new Boomtown Rats album, Citizens Of Boomtown; a comprehensive documentary of the same name; and a book.
[24]
Why The Boomtown Rats Are Back With First Album In 36 Years
Mar 11, 2020 · Formed during the mid-70s in Dublin and subsequently relocated to London, the Rats notched five Top 10 U.K. singles, hitting No. 1 with “Rat ...
[25]
Boomtown Rats re-united with Geldof for Isle of Wight Festival - BBC
Jan 28, 2013 · Bob Geldof is to front a reunited Boomtown Rats at the Isle of Wight Festival - 26 years after last performing with the band.
[26]
Bob Geldof On The Boomtown Rats' Recent Reunion Album And ...
Apr 21, 2020 · Much has changed since the Rats' first go-round, Live Aid and Live 8, with Geldof citing the 2008 recession, the plight of immigrants in Europe, ...
[27]
Watch the Boomtown Rats Play Their First U.S. Show in Decades
Sep 29, 2014 · Frontman Bob Geldof spoke with Rolling Stone about the Rats' reunion in 2013, when the band first reunited for shows in the U.K., Ireland and ...
[28]
What do you do when the chart-topping band you toured the world ...
Oct 20, 2018 · The Rats had had their heyday in the late 70s – scoring number ones with hits like Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays. Geldof, meanwhile, courted ...
[29]
The Boomtown Rats: Citizens of Boomtown review – nostalgia and ...
Mar 13, 2020 · The first Boomtown Rats album for 36 years comes trailed by promotional bumf that really does it no favours at all. Pondering the state of the ...
[30]
Inside how Garry Roberts dedicated life to The Boomtown Rats after ...
Nov 10, 2022 · I always felt like a Boomtown Rat, I've always felt that my natural state was as a member of The Boomtown Rats because of the history of what we ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[31]
Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts dead at 72 - Louder Sound
Nov 9, 2022 · Roberts was born in Dublin in 1950 and formed his first band with future Boomtown Rats drummer Simon Crowe while the pair attended Newtown ...Missing: background father jazz
[32]
Garry Roberts obituary - The Times
Nov 23, 2022 · Garry Roberts obituary: Guitarist for the Boomtown Rats whose driving riffs were an essential element of the band's new wave sound in the ...Missing: biography - - | Show results with:biography - -
[33]
Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts dies aged 72 | Hereford Times
Nov 10, 2022 · Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts, who lived in Herefordshire, has died aged 72. The Irish rock group announced the news in a statement.Missing: workshops | Show results with:workshops
[34]
Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts dies aged 72 | Dublin Live
Nov 10, 2022 · Other bands he had worked with as a sound engineer included Simply Red and Flesh for Lulu. He was also a member of the band The Velcro Flies.
[35]
Biography - Gerry Cott
In 1977 The Boomtown Rats moved to London, signed a deal with Ensign Records and rented a house from Richard Branson. Along with The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The ...
[36]
Former Boomtown Rats line up for free gig in Bromyard
Apr 29, 2010 · ... Bromyard's Bay Horse. Former Rat and Bromyard resident Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe, the driving force behind the Rats sound, have put ...
[37]
Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts dies aged 72 - The Irish Times
Nov 9, 2022 · Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts dies aged 72. Rock group describe Roberts as `the guy who summed up the sense of who The Rats are'.<|control11|><|separator|>