MIKE Plumbley - the well-known and much respected figure in Island music - has died at the age of 63 in a Southampton nursing home following a recent illness.
After leaving Priory Boys School to become a printer at W.Blake and Sons in Town Lane at Newport, Mr Plumbley moved to the mainland in 1975 to work for the Southern Evening Echo in Southampton.
Mr Plumbley is best known for his contribution to Island music, both as a writer and a promoter. 
His background in print and graphic design was instrumental in the production of the book Isle of Wight Rock which was published in 1995 as a limited edition of a thousand copies. 
The book, which took two-and-a-half years to research, documented in detail the history of rock music on the Isle of Wight from 1955-1995. 
It was co-written with Mr Plumbley's best friends Pete Turner and Vic King.
This same partnership evolved into becoming music promoters in 1996, quickly leading to the establishment of Vaguely Sunny Promotions which remains active, having arranged 240 events to date featuring Island, national and internationally known musicians, and including plays and talks.
Mr Plumbley latterly worked in the Southampton area as a special needs care worker for the blind and for young adults with a range of complex needs.
Being a keen writer, he was a member of the Southampton Writers Group.
He loved travel, particularly to the USA where he made several visits and to Ireland.
He is survived by his daughter Laura and son Robert.
A celebration of his life will take place in early December in Southampton followed by several gigs in his honour in 2018.