Vince Power: true legend

• I WAS saddened to read in your paper that the legendary music mogul, Vince Power, has passed away.

I first met Vince in the mid 1990s when myself and the legendary DJ Jeff Dexter campaigned to save the “temple” of our hippy youth, the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, from developers.

My mother owned a house nearby and I often saw some of the greatest music legends there, including Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Pink Floyd and many more great bands.

The award-winning CNJ and its editor, the late Eric Gordon, supported our campaign as did Vince Power who did the first concert there after the building was purchased by local toy millionaire Torquil Norman.

I recall standing outside the Roundhouse with my good friend local councillor Pat Callaghan, who supported our campaign, reminiscing about the times we spent in this iconic building which was actually the place the Beatles were supposed to film Let It Be, but the police objected because they were worried that thousands of Beatles fans would cause havoc. So the gig was switched at the last moment to the roof of Beatles HQ in Mayfair.

The Roundhouse is now a major arts centre and performance venue, which was my idea for the venue; it had been left to rot before Jeff Dexter and I came to its rescue. Sadly the new owner did not go for my idea that the large basement would be an ideal home for a rock and roll museum.

Vince Power had a tough exterior and could have easily been mistaken for a bouncer at one of his venues. But in reality he was a softly-spoken gentle Irishman with a kindly heart.

There were many times when he let me use his iconic venues, which included the Forum and Jazz Cafe in Camden, for the charity music events I organised helping to raise thousands of pounds for local and nationally renowned causes.

He also gave me backstage passes for some of the major festivals his Mean Fiddler group were involved in, including the world famous Reading and Glastonbury festivals.

Many of the great names in the music business owe their success to Vince and he will be missed by them and all those who knew him.

Rest in peace Vince Power you were a true legend.

NIC CAREEM, NW5