George Melly, the larger-than-life British jazz star, has died at his home in London at the age of 80, his wife said.
The singer and writer was also a lecturer on art history, specialising in surrealism, as well as an award-winning film and television critic. The hard-drinking entertainer was known for his high-living, loud suits and jaunty fedora hats.
He had suffered from lung cancer, but refused all treatment and continued to perform on stage.
Melly also developed dementia and his last concert, on June 10, was in aid of a charity for the condition.
”He was born in Liverpool in 1926 and for 60 years has been an acclaimed, popular and much-loved performer,” his wife, Diana Melly, said.
”George Melly was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005 for which he refused all treatment and continued singing until near the end. In 2004, George developed vascular dementia and his last performance on June 10 this year was at the 100 Club in aid of Admiral Nurses, part of the charity For Dementia.”
The musician said recently: ”I don’t fear death. I’m a fatalist, although I would rather death came as a shock to me. I’ve always said I wanted to die either coming off stage with the applause in my ears or of a terminal stroke on a river bank with two trout by my side.”
He is survived by his wife; his son, Tom; daughter, Pandora; step-daughter, Candy; and four grandchildren. — Sapa-AFP