Larry Gogan

Larry Gogan
Born	Lorcan Gogan 6 May 1938
Nationality	Irish
Education	School
Occupation	Broadcaster
Employer	Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)
Known for	"Just-a-Minute Quiz"
Spouse(s)	Florrie (died January 2002)
Website	http://www.rte.ie/2fm/larry-gogan/

Lorcan 'Larry' Gogan (born 6 May 1938) is an Irish broadcaster working for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). He is a disc jockey on RTÉ 2fm. His show is The Golden Hour, during which Larry plays old favourites and classic songs from yesteryear. Gogan spun the first disc on Radio 2, Like Clockwork by The Boomtown Rats. Louis Walsh has described him as one of "the kings of Irish broadcasting".^[1]

He was given the Industry Award at the 2007 Meteor Awards.

In 2011 he gained listeners in the JNLRs.^[2]

Biography

Career

Gogan started in radio in the 1960s after finishing school. He broadcast his first radio programme on RTÉ Radio 1. He became a well-known presenter on Radio 1, including sponsored programmes, and was one of a handful of presenters playing almost exclusively pop music. He was in the original lineup in 1979 of RTÉ Radio 2 (which later became RTÉ 2FM), a station on which he spun the first disc. He has been presenting a regular show there ever since.

Gogan has also presented a variety of television programmes including Pickin' The Pops, Go 2 Show and The Golden Hour.

He continues to do the Eurovision Song Contest commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

The Golden Hour

Gogan presented The Golden Hour up until February 2014. He returned to a weekday slot in January 2010 after a period of Saturday and Sunday afternoon shows.^[3]

He had a high profile interview with U2 drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. in March 2009.^[4]

In February 2014, it was announced that he would present a new two-hour weekend show, entitled 'The Larry Gogan Show' instead of the Golden Hour.^[5]

"Just a Minute Quiz"

Gogan is famous for his "Just a Minute Quiz", which occurs during his radio show.^[6] When contestants get only a couple of questions correct he is famous for the catchphrase "They didn't really suit you". The quiz has produced its fair share of bloopers which have gone down in Irish folklore.^[7] Question from February 2006: What famous star is followed by travellers? Answer: Joe Dolan.^[8]

TV

On 6 November 2008, Gogan appeared on Irish television to officially open Carrigstown's new community centre.^[9]

He hosted the 1980 National Song Contest (Irish heats for the Eurovision Song Contest) and provided the RTÉ television commentary at the 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982 Eurovision Song Contest. Gogan also hosted heats for Castlebar Song Contest in 1968 and then from 1974 until 1977.

As well as his radio and TV performances, Gogan presents a contemporary music channel in the in flight entertainment on long haul flights on board the Irish National Flag Carrier, Aer Lingus.

Personal life

Gogan met his wife Florrie when she was 15. Both their fathers ran newspaper shops in Dublin. They were engaged two years later and married when she was 21. They had five children. Florrie developed breast cancer and died in January 2002 while Gogan was recovering from heart surgery. He says, "When something happens at work I say to myself 'I must tell Florrie that' and then I remember, she's not there any more"...^[10]

On his official website, Gogan lists Katy Lied by Steely Dan as his favourite album of all time, whilst the song that drives him mad is "Save Your Love" by Renée and Renato. His favourite film is Casablanca.

Awards

In 1986, Gogan was honoured at the Jacob's Awards for his weekly show, Ireland's Top Thirty.

On 11 March 2005, Gogan was awarded the IRMA Honours Award "in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish music".^[11]

Gogan received the Industry Award at the 2007 Meteor Awards on 1 February that year.^[12] He was nominated in the category of Best Radio DJ - National at the 2010 Meteor Awards.^[13]

Year	Nominee/work	Award	Result
1986	Larry Gogan	Jacob's Awards	Won
2005	Larry Gogan	IRMA Honours Award	Won
2007	Larry Gogan	Industry Award at the Meteor Awards	Won
2010	Larry Gogan	Best Radio DJ - National at the Meteor Awards	Nominated

References

1. Jackson, Joe (3 February 2002). "Six things about Louis". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 3 February 2002.
2. "Morning Ireland tops JNLRs once again". RTÉ. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
3. "RTÉ 2fm announce New Year schedule changes". RTÉ. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
4. Costello, John (13 March 2009). "Larry Mullen lays Bono bare as Gogan produces pure radio gold". Evening Herald. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
5. "He might be moving to weekend but Larry's 'not going anywhere'". Irish Independent. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
6. "High Nelly hopes for world record". Leinster Express. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011. The event got national attention from newspapers and television, while the real proof of having made it in Ireland was featuring as one of the questions on DJ Larry Gogan’s legendary ‘Just a Minute’ quiz.
7. "Famous Irish Quotes".
8. "My 2006 by Dave Fanning". Hot Press. 1 January 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2009. WHAT TICKLED YOUR FUNNYBONE IN 2006? Larry Gogan's Just A Minute Quiz in February – Question: What famous star is followed by travellers? Answer: Joe Dolan.
9. Nolan, Lorna (6 November 2008). "Golden Hour for Carrigstown as legend Larry pays a visit". Evening Herald. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
10. Gogan, Larry (Friday 25 November 2011). "I never thought that Florrie would die first...", Irish Independent (LIVING), p. 38.
11. "Larry Gogan to be honoured by IRMA". RTÉ. 10 March 2005. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
12. "Industry Award for RTÉ 2fm's Larry Gogan". RTÉ. 13 December 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
13. "Meteor Ireland Awards Nominees". RTÉ. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2010.

External links

• Gogan's official site
• Famous Irish Quotes (includes "Just A Minute Quiz" excerpts)