Northern Soul DJ Blue Max dies aged 67

A popular DJ and record shop owner credited with bringing Northern Soul to the Black Country has died of a heart attack, aged 67.

Grandfather Max Millward - known as DJ Blue Max - died in New Cross Hospital on Sunday after performing a set at the Brookfields Club, known as The Stables, in Cannock Road, Shareshill, on Saturday night.

An ambulance was called after Mr Millward complained of feeling short of breath outside the venue at about 2am.

The founder of Max Millward's Records, in Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, he was renowned among soul fans for his collection of rare Northern Soul vinyls and popular DJ sets.

The shop closed in 2008 because of growing competition from larger stores.

Mr Millward had been married to wife Linda, aged 54, of Birchwood Close, Essington, for 30 years. They have two children together, Katie, aged 30, and Jamie, aged 27, as well as one granddaughter.

Mrs Millward said: "He had a smile for everybody and was always happy to help. Music was his passion and he had so many friends.

"He'd complained of indigestion before the gig but we didn't know anything was seriously wrong."

Jamie Atkins, landlord of the Great Western, in Corn Hill, Wolverhampton, today paid tribute to his friend of 35 years.

Mr Atkins, who was a DJ in the 1970s, said: "Max was due to play here at a soul night on Sunday. It's a shock that he's gone and we'll miss him very much.

"He was a lovely man who never had a bad word to say about anyone. All the DJs used to get their records from his shop in Wednesfield because it was the best around."

Friend Adrian Marchant added: "Max Millward is known the length and breadth of the UK as a pioneer of Northern Soul and has done more than anyone else to make Wolverhampton a soul music capital."

Wolverhampton-based music promoter Tony Perry added: "We used Max quite a lot and he was a really nice bloke who would help anybody. His knowledge of soul music was outstanding."