Tributes and condolences to Northern Ireland's best-known concert promoter

Jim helped those of us in Belfast City Council in the mid 1990’s establish the link between local government and the business community when he became an enthusiastic and founding Board Member of the original Investment Belfast Limited.

He was unstinting in his advice and encouragement at a time when few businesspeople were willing to publicly engage with politicians.

He saw the way the wind was blowing – for more co-operation – and he acted accordingly.

He is a great loss to our City.
Reg Empey

I waited 30 years to see Donny Osmond in Belfast, Jim Aiken did it! My sincere condolences to his wife and family. A lovely man, a true gentleman.
Alison (aka Cathy Wilson’s mad Aunt)

Just a few words about my dear Uncle Jim (eldest brother of my mother Philomena Reid (Aiken).  Jim always took time out of his busy schedule to come to Ottawa when he was travelling through the United States on business or for pleasure.  When we were children, we always enjoyed when Uncle Jim was coming, because he always had a few stories about the famous people he had meetings with.  

Most recently, he and Anne came up to Ottawa in early October 2006, and we had a wonderful evening out with them (11 of us), talking about everything from Michael Flatley's upcoming wedding to roller skates Jim bought for us 25 years ago.  It was truly a memorable night and sadly the last.  

On the 13th of February, my older brother Conor and I headed over to Ireland to see Jim one last time.  He had made so many visits to us over the last 31 years since we moved from Ireland to Canada, that it was the least we could do.  We went to see him on Friday, February 16th at his home in Belfast and had a relatively short chat with him.  He ran through what had transpired over the past few weeks and what was ahead for him.  

We were all very sad, but Jim was strong and accepting.  My final words to him were, as a teacher, you can teach many things, but character is not one of them.  You can only model character and that is what you (Jim) have done your whole life.  We left shortly after with tears in our eyes knowing that we would never see our dear Uncle Jim alive again.
Gareth Reid, senior school principal, Turnbull School, Ottawa

I had the privilege of knowing Jim through working for his daughter Claire for many years.  I was and am honoured to have known him.  His passing will leave a huge void in many lives.
Rie Boyd,  Ballywalter, Co Down

Jim had time for everyone at a venue from the cleaning staff right through to the artist. He had something! He was a business man and a gentleman and that is very rare.  
Willy, Co Down

I was a student at Hardinge St C.B.S. from 1957 to 1960. Big Jim was my physics teacher and also was our gaelic football coach. I will always remember Jim as a caring teacher how took great pride in the achivements of his students.

Due in a large part to Jim's urging when I left school I took a job in the science field as medical laboratory technologist from which I reciently retired after 45years

Many times over these past years some problem has come up in my work enviroment and I have been able to solve it by remembering what Jim taught me so many years ago . I am saddened to hear of his passing and my prayers are with his family at this time .. Rest Peacefully Big Jim.
Jim Cummings, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

From Toyah to Chris de Burgh, too many to mention! The concerts of the 70's & 80's, thanks Jim, you made Belfast a gig capital of the world. I guess now you'll be promoting Phil Lynott, Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher and many more. I look forward to attending some of your gigs in the sky. 
Phil, Sydney, Australia

The year was 1959 - 1960 Jim "Big Rock" Aiken was our teacher, our coach and our inspiration. Hardinge Street C.B.S. had set it sights on the Ulster Under 15 Football Championship, "Corn na Nog."

Big Rock was the man to get us there. We trained 5 days a week at Corrigan Park, all through the winter months, we went the whole year undefeated and at the final in Ballinasreen, every teacher on staff and about half of the pupils from Hardinge Street showed up to cheer us to a 3 point victory over Derry C.B.S.

There are many cherished memories from that year, from the "Rock" driving one mini-bus and his brother driving another to bring us to games, to Big Jim chewing on stocks of grass as he coached from the side-line. He taught us to believe in ourselves, to set goals and to work hard to achieve our goal. And he did it all with positive re-enforcement and a great deal of laughter and fun.

Mr. Aiken may be gone but the life lessons he taught and the memories of time spent with him will continue for ever. To his wife Anne, who I met only once at their home on Finaghy, and to his family I extend my sincere condolences and prayers. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
Pat Donnelly, Toronto, Canada

My memory of Jim was when he lifted my 8 year old daughter into his arms at a Boyzone concert at Kings Hall. We were backstage and she couldn’t get near the band due to the amount of press and photographers there. Jim lifted Danielle and took her in turn to each of the band members so she could speak to them. A true gentleman. Deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
Elaine, Belfast

My thoughts are with the family at this sad time. I was in the same year as Cathy at school, and Jim is a couple of years younger than my own dad, so I feel very much for her. My deepest sympathy.
Veronica, Belfast

My late husband Alf Scott worked closely with Jim for many years when the'New Vic Theatre' was in full swing and always said that Jim Aiken was one of the few true genlemen in showbusiness...he as so many people had tremendous respect for him. At the end of last year I was speaking with Jim and remarked at how well he was looking...his reply to me was 'Well I have to keep well for my family'. That just about sums it up My sincere condolences and thoughts to Anne and all the family.
Betty Scott, Holywood

I didn’t know Jim Aiken personally, but I am one of the many, many thousands of Belfast people whose lives he brightened up. If it weren’t for him I wouldn’t have seen all the great concerts I attended in years past. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
John Gallagher, Beverley, East Yorkshire.

My sincere condolences to the family circle.Jim was a king in his field and will be so sadly missed by all.
Tracy Wells, Nashville, Tennessee. (formerly N. Ireland)

Jim taught me at the Christian Brothers in Hardinge Street for 2-3 years , along time ago, but still remember him coming into class first thing in the morning, and plugging his electric razor into the light bulb switch to shave as he had usually been up most of the night looking after his acts. Always smiling and even better he used to get us older pupils to help out at concerts , ie doors , programmes etc for which we were well rewarded by him, that was his style, always generous.
Bill Gordon, Belfast

The best music promoter who ever lived. Shalom Jim
Stephen Anderson