Derry socialist, musician and academic Colm Bryce was ‘a power house of social justice’

Mr. Bryce, who sadly passed away following a battle with cancer, was lately based in Glasgow but was a well-known figure in socialist and music circles in his native Derry.

His friend and fellow musician, Pól PJ McCartney, of Bam Bam and the Calling, said: "A warrior in the struggle against the oppression of his fellow human beings locally and globally - he faced this daily challenge with a positivity driven by a vision that people could be brought together and that they could find a better place in this insane world.”

John Keaveney, guitarist with Hong Kong Nocturne, stated: "A powerhouse of social justice has been lost. A troubadour and spokesperson for those without voices. Colm Bryce was a man of peace, a man of justice and a man of respect and dignity. Rest easy, comrade. We'll keep fighting the good fight for you.”

Mr. Bryce was a key figure in the development of grass roots socialist politics in Derry. He was a member of the Derry Anti-War Coalition who occupied the Springtown plant of Raytheon in 2006. The group became known as the Raytheon 9. Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL) left Derry in 2010.

He stood a number of times in elections to Derry City Council as a candidate for the Socialist Environmental Alliance (SEA), a forerunner of People Before Profit.

In 2011 he received 564 votes, 6.1 per cent of the total tally, in the Northland ward, a high point in Derry at council level, prior to the breakthroughs of 2019.

Paying tribute on behalf of People Before Profit, Councillor Shaun Harkin said: “We're absolutely devastated at the passing of our comrade and friend Colm Bryce.”

He added: "Colm dedicated decades to building the socialist and working class movements in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Australia.”

Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly said: “His untimely death will be a blow to those closest to him, family, friends and comrades.”

Colr. Donnelly said his selfless actions as a member of the Derry Anti-War Coalition were ‘greatly appreciated by those under Israeli bombardment and inspired many others to take similar actions’.

Mr. Bryce was a respected songwriter and played both as a solo performer and with the Free Radicals.

His best known song was ‘The Night They Stole Nina Simone's Soul’.

Mr. McCartney said: “As a songwriter, he communicated from the human heart like Dylan, Ray Davies, Strummer and Weller.

"His songs told stories of his own community and beyond - courageous in their subject matter, yet never without a shred of hope entwined somewhere within them.

“I think we were all blessed to have had this inspirational, conscientious and gifted man as a friend. We will never forget him.”

Colr. Harkin remarked: "He will be sorely missed by his comrades and friends across the world.”