Tributes paid to 'inspirational' Morecambe-born DJ (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Tributes paid to 'inspirational' Morecambe-born DJ

6:11pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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Friends, musicians and broadcasters have saluted Morecambe-born DJ Charlie Gillett, who has died after a long illness.

Gillett, who was 68 and was credited with discovering Dire Straits, had a lengthy radio career with a devoted following recruited during his stints on BBC London - and its predecessors - plus Radio 3, the World Service and Capital.

The presenter, who also managed Ian Dury for a spell and was respected for an authoritative book on the history of rock’n’roll, was described as “an inspiration to everybody who loved music”.

He died in a London hospital yesterday. He suffered a heart attack last week after contracting a disease of the autoimmune system.

He had stepped down from his regular slot on Radio 3’s World on 3 for health reasons two months ago.

Gillett is credited with discovering Dire Straits in 1976 after playing Sultans of Swing from the band’s demo tape on his influential BBC Radio London show Honky Tonk.

He also championed world music stars like Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita and the young singer of Portuguese fado music, Mariza.

During the past decade he entertained millions of listeners through his World Service programme, Charlie Gillett’s World of Music.

World Service director Peter Horrocks said: “His broadcasts brought together music and radio fans from far-flung corners of the globe.

"He was a very special broadcaster and he will be sorely missed.”

Roger Wright, controller of Radio 3, said: “News of Charlie’s death is terribly sad.

"To his audiences he was ‘Mr World Music’ and the community of listeners is left richer for his tireless support of an extraordinary range of artists.”

Close pal Mark Lamarr said: “When I first met him it was like meeting the rock ‘n’ roll equivalent of Dickens or Shakespeare.”

Gillett is survived by wife Buffy and children Suzy, Jody and Ivan.