THE feud between Dickie Rock and Johnny Logan is OVER, we can reveal.
Eurovision winner Johnny, 70, has agreed to put the infamous row to bed when he performs at a special concert in memory of his late rival.
Showband legend Dickie, who passed away in December aged 88, once threatened to give Johnny “a box” as a fiery war of words between the stars exploded.
But What’s Another Year crooner Johnny will now sing some of the last star’s biggest hits at the Celebrating Dickie Rock concert in Dublin’s National Concert Hall on Saturday, April 19.
Dickie’s son Jason Rock told The Irish Sun: “Dad said he would give Johnny a dig, but he ended up giving Johnny a gig.
“This is wonderful news. Johnny is a huge star, an amazing presence, and what a voice to have singing Dad’s songs. We are thrilled at this news.”
The Rock family said they are touched Johnny will jet in from Gothenburg, Sweden, to perform.
The Hold Me Now legend will perform with Rock’s own band, The Sugarcubes, before jetting back the next morning to Sweden, where he is filming a TV special.
Jason told us: “It’s a long way to come for Johnny but he obviously didn’t want to miss Dad’s concert and we are very touched by the trouble to make it here.”
It’s a remarkable turnaround after the legendary spat between the Irish showbiz legends, which saw Dickie threaten to give Johnny “a f***ing box” back in 2020.
His pledge came after Johnny claimed Dickie lived in a “fantasy world” during an interview.
Contrasting his international success against Dickie’s, Johnny had said: “You know, I’ve sang for Pope John Paul, for the Queen of England, for Prince Charles, for Lady Diana — when she was alive — for the Government of Ireland, for every head of state in Europe.
“I toured with the Royal Symphony Orchestra. I’ve done the London Palladium, about 20 times, Top of the Pops about 14 times.
“Get Dickie to match one of those, you know?”
He added: “What would Dickie Rock know about being a musician? Dickie’s idea of an international tour was to have a gig in England. I love Dickie, but he’s a legend in his own head. He lives in a fantasy world.”
‘I’D GIVE HIM A BOX’
Quizzed if he would give Johnny a hug and make up, outraged Dickie famously told The Irish Sun: “Give Johnny a hug? I’d give him a f***ing box. I’m 82. Even now I’d give him a box.”
The Cabra-born sensation added: “His career is mostly abroad and he is very successful at it.
“I’m happy that Irish people know me. I am happy to be at home and not to have to go away to pursue success.”
The Irish Sun’s explosive front page prompted furious exchanges between fans on RTE’s Liveline and a peace deal brokered by host Joe Duffy, in which the two men agreed to settle their differences.
Now Johnny — who is donating his fee to the Crumlin children’s hospital — will prove the feud is over by singing for Dickie’s fans, who are coming from all over Ireland to attend the special gig.
Dickie’s musical director Eugene McCarthy, who is behind the show, told The Irish Sun: “Johnny really wanted to sing some of Dickie’s biggest hits so he’s learning There’s Always Me and Candy Store to sing them on the night.”
His sons Jason and Richard will also perform at the concert.
Ronan Collins, who delivered the eulogy at Dickie’s funeral and played for many years in his band, will also perform at the concert, along with Sandy Kelly and The Miami Showband’s Murty Quinn.
