A PILLAR of the Kendal live music scene has died, and musicians from far and wide have paid tribute to his influence.

Jonty Martindale died at his home, reportedly due to a heart attack, in the early hours of Monday morning (April 9).

He owned and ran Bootleggers bar on Finkle Street, as well as playing in a number of live bands, including local favourites the Fabulous Picasso Brothers and Boomerang. In the ‘90s he played in the group Freeway.

His bar, which hosts live music three nights a week and provides a platform for young musicians to get their start in music, celebrated its 19th birthday this week. Mr Martindale helped to found the town centre venue in 1998.

He took full ownership of Bootleggers in 2011, and also worked as managing director of building firm G F Martindale and Sons.

Elio Pace, a close friend of Mr Martindale’s who often played live at Bootleggers, said: “I can’t even begin to tell you what this man meant to me and how, in the ten or so short years that I knew him, he became someone I called a best friend.

“He created and ran a live music venue in Kendal, a legendary place in the North that we all wanted to play at.

“He wasn’t your normal manager or businessman; far from it. He was a brilliant musician himself, a music historian, massively intelligent, well read, cultured, passionate, hilarious and generous to a fault.

“He was one of those people that was loved and respected by customers, clients, musicians and locals. Everyone. He was the most dedicated husband and father and the greatest friend and support you could ever wish for as a gigging musician.”

Journalist, publisher and friend Marten Julian promoted gigs with Mr Martindale.

He said: “I know I will not be alone in feeling stunned on hearing of Jonty’s death at the weekend.

“I first met him in the early ‘90s when he was frontman for Freeway.

“He was my first port of call when I drove up from my home in the South, often driving direct to the Lindale Inn to see him play. We soon became friends and I used to travel to gigs with them. I was promoting a few bands in those days and one of Jonty’s ambitions was to play with Squeeze, so I promoted them at Kendal Leisure Centre in May, 1991, with Freeway in support.

“He also supported Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel when they came to play here the same year.

“Jonty’s passion for live music more recently manifested itself through Bootleggers, where many a time he gave little-known artists a chance to perform.

“I personally discovered Irish singer Eleanor McEvoy and guitar virtuoso Aynsley Lister through Bootleggers, and there were many others too numerous to mention. My lasting regret will be that latterly we did not spend more time together. Jonty’s contribution to live music in the South Lakes was, and remains, incalculable.”

Jonty Martindale is survived his wife, Diane, two daughters Mollie and Jessie and the many music fans he worked with and befriended.