A man widely credited with almost singlehandedly revitalising the Swindon music scene has died.
The death of Dave Young, former landlord of The Vic in Old Town and 12 Bar in Westcott Place, was announced on Sunday, 6 June, and tributes immediately began to pour in. He had been ill for some time.
Dave, himself a musician, had championed local acts as well as turning Swindon into a key destination for performers from throughout the country and beyond, and was also involved in several local music festivals.
Jamie Hill, editor of Swindon Link and music and arts magazine The Ocelot, said: "Dave Young was an absolute legend.
"He helped us from start to finish with The Ocelot. He was always the centre of everything we did on the music scene, and without his support I don't think The Ocelot would have survived.
"He is a massive, massive loss for Swindon, not only for all the people he touched personally but for all the people in the music scene that he helped and supported throughout his life.
"It will be a massive blow for everyone that knew him. He was so passionate and full of life, and his loss is something that will be keenly felt for years."
Music promoter Ed Dyer said: "If you measure a man by the mark he left on those around him, and the positive contribution he made to life, then Dave truly was without equal."
Typical among other tributes was one which read: "The word 'legend' is often overused in my opinion. Not in Dave's case. A true legend and all round lovely bloke.
"Many local musicians owe a debt of thanks to Dave and his influence on Swindon's local music scene."
Dave was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2016, and alongside his wife, Anna Sprawson, went on to raise money towards the Brighter Futures charity's successful campaign to provide Swindon with its own radiotherapy unit.
Your Comments
Be the first to comment on this article
Login or Register to post a comment on this article