Gil Scott-Heron dies

The legendary poet and jazz musician Gil Scott-Heron has died aged 62. Firstly a writer (his novels included 'The Vulture' and 'The Nigger Factory') his first musical project, 'Small Talk At 125th And Lenox', was released in 1970 and included his the track, 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'. Four albums followed in the next five years and Scott-Heron's work became increasingly influential, especially on the emerging hip hop genre. Despite this, Arista Records decided to drop Scott-Heron in 1985 but he continued to tour and he briefly returned to recorded music via a deal with TVT in 199T releasing the seminal 'Message To The Messengers' and the ‘Spirits’ album. Plagued by addiction issues, resulting jail sentences and more latterly diagnosed as HIV positive, Scott Heron’s output fell away but in 2010 he released his first studio album in sixteen years, 'I'm New Here' on XL Recordings, to widespread acclaim. Also missed will be Flick Colby, dancer and choreographer and co-founder of the Pan's People, dancers for BBC's 'Top Of The Pop's for much of the seventies. Flick has died aged 65 after a battle with cancer.