TJ's Legend Dies in Hospital

One of the leading lights of the music scene in Newport for 40 years and owner of TJs, John Sicolo, has died in hospital aged 66.

Mr Sicolo died at 0600 GMT on Sunday at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.

John's daughter Leanne Jane Sicolo responsed to the facebook tributes: "thank you everyone for your kind messages my dad died early hours of this morning he passed away in his sleep he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him love you dad x."

Mr Sicolo was a former merchant navy seaman, where he served as a cook. He is described on the club's website as 'half Welsh, half Seychellean'. He founded the club in 1971, first christening it El Sieco's before renaming it TJ's Disco. The late BBC DJ and presenter John Peel dubbed the venue "the legendary TJs" on his radio shows. Oasis, Echo and The Bunnymen, Catatonia, Manic Street Preachers, the Buzzcocks and Primal Scream were among the thousands of bands who appeared there.

Paul Flynn MP for Newport West stated TJ's gave Newport fame, excitement and musical chutzpah. "It was TJs that won for Newport the title the New Seattle. A generation of Newportonians relished the buzz of hearing top World groups on their own doorstep. They fondly remember TJ's at it's thrilling best, robust, loud and bursting with talent."

The future of the club had been shrouded in uncertainty and Mr. Sicolo had planned to sell off some of his memorabilia to keep things afloat. In the next month there was a busy schedule of events including the return home to Newport of Skindred.