Colourful jazz singer George Melly (80) has died today.
Melly, who nailed the art of growing old disgracefully with style, died at his London home with Diana, his wife of 44 years, beside him.
Liverpool-born jazz musician George Melly died today at his London home. Image: PA.
Ever the showman and driven by a love of life, Melly rejected treatment for lung cancer for two years. In his later years he was struck with vascular dementia, which affects the brain after small strokes; emphysema; and deafness - but he still made it on stage and into the recording studio.
Liverpool-born Melly's charismatic style involved dressing in florid zoot suits, fedora hats, and telling stories with the odd risque comment. He was a dedicated founder of the British Jazz Revival and a spokesman for both jazz and blues who loved Bessie Smith and early jazz vocals.
While he did not achieve his dream of either dying on stage after playing the perfect set or having caught a large trout, he managed to keep working up to his death.
His last gig was on June 10th with a special concert at the 100 Club in London in aid of Admiral Nurses.