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Vince Power, concert and festival promoter, dies aged 76

Promoter who opened first venue with proceeds of second-hand furniture business became one of the biggest players in British and Irish live music

His death was confirmed in a statement from his family, who called him “a visionary entrepreneur who enhanced and influenced the music industry significantly, whilst always being a dedicated, loving father and a loyal friend to so many”. What started as a hobbyist business became a huge success for Power, whose company Mean Fiddler Group took on ownership of a swathe of London venues including the Jazz Cafe, the Garage and the Astoria. Imelda May was among those paying tribute following his death, writing: “I adored him and will be forever grateful to him for giving me a chance when I needed it most when starting out.” Tanita Tikaram described Power as “the kindest of men & like many artists I owe so much to Vince”.

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