Robin Alexander Irvine, who had a long career as a tour manager, died Aug. 21, 2022 after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He died at age 77, surrounded by his family.
Robin was born Feb. 28, 1945 in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. According to the website Irish-Showbands.com, Irvine was a musician in the Irish pop band, Chips, then left the group in 1974 to form a rock band Bananas, which played the Dublin and Belfast club scenes. He and other Bananas band members went to New York in 1975 to play gigs, going their separate ways a year later.
In 1976 Irvine traveled to Los Angeles and was a guitar tech for Barry Manilow. When he returned to New York, he was playing in bands and working as a sound engineer at iconic venues such as JP’s, the Home Restaurant, and Trax. He made the move from sound engineer to tour manager for many legendary acts throughout the decades such as rockabilly musician Robert Gordon, Angela Bofill, Laura Nero, Cyndi Lauper, The Monkees, B-52’s, The Eurythmics, Foreigner, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Robin is survived by his wife Lisa Stucchi Irvine of Ardsley, NY and his children Baz, Erin, Elise and Elena.
Robin’s widow, Lisa, has posted the following message on social media:
“As a family we are devastated, yet celebrate and find so much joy in remembering the incredible man Robin was. He was loved the world-over both professionally and personally. No one took better care of everyone than Robin did. We have decided as a family, in harmony with Robin’s wishes, to keep it simple. No fiddly nonsense, as he’d say.
No wake. No funeral services. No burial. We will scatter his ashes over the places he loved best. His homeland of Ireland, his favorite beach in Florida, as well as the Hudson River where he enjoyed so many years on his beloved boat.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 30, A Celebration of Life is planned for 2-5 pm at the Washington Irving Boat Club (next to Tarrytown Metro North Station), 238 Green St., Tarrytown, NY 10591.
Friends are invited to “come to pay their respects, remember, laugh and cry over our lost boy. Nothing fancy, just friendship, sunshine, the river and a pint,” she says. “Share a memory, sing a sing, whatever. We’d love to see you.”
