It is with great sadness that the Southern Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has learnt of the passing of Terry Dempsey, who was a renowned songwriter, record producer, musician, music publisher and manager. He was a great outlier that greatly influenced the music scene for more than 50 years and across all generations, his passing is an immense loss for the music industry.
He has impacted and inspired many artists with his classic hits both in South Africa and internationally, Dempsey was also founder and President of the Loony’s Charity Organisation, for 20 years. He was an iconic figure who wrote theme songs for television programmes such as Topsport, Million Dollar, The Comrades Marathon, World Cup Golf, World Cup Soccer to name a few. The value and contribution that Dempsey made is immense in South African music and television history.
Amongst the many roles that he took on in 1988 he was appointed to the board of the National Organisation of Rights in Music (NORM) for three years and then he was elected as chairman for two years. With an illustrious career spanning over many decades he was also involved as a music publisher in the glorious African stage musical UMOJA – The Spirit of Togetherness which received a 5 star rating in South Africa. Dempsey enthralled many around the world with his talents leaves a huge void in the music business.
SAMRO sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and music fraternity, in this time of bereavement.
