Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash tweeted, "The news of Jim Marshall passing is deeply saddening. R & R will never be the same w/out him. But, his amps will live on FOREVER!"
Motley Crue bass player Nikki Sixx also paid tribute on Twitter, saying Marshall was "responsible for some of the greatest audio moments in music's history - and 50% responsible of all our hearing loss."
Speaking to Radio Four's Front Row programme, Paul Weller said he used a Marshall amp that was "at least 40 years old and still sounds fantastic". "For me it's the exactly right amp for the job," said Weller. "I don't know if anyone's particularly improved on it, to be honest."
In 2003, Marshall he was given the OBE for his services to music and charity. He was a regular supporter of Macmillan and the Willen Hospice. He also donated money to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, where he was treated for tuberculosis as a child.
The Marshall Amps company is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a tribute concert at Wembley Arena. Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Whitesnake and The Cult are among the bands who have been lined up to play at the September event.
Hay Days - The full line-up for the 25th Hay Festival in Powys has been unveiled. The annual mix of literature, politics, comedy and music will be held over 11 days from the end of May. Highlights include the American actor, singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, who will be launching his memoirs and discussing his friendship with Dr Martin Luther King.
Musical highlights will include a sell-out performance from Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, while conductor Sir Simon Rattle talks about his work with the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra. Rock is represented by New Order's Bernard Sumner, who will be talking about Joy Division and beyond in his autobiography, and Creation records founder Alan McGee. Performances include Brit-hop star Speech Debelle, singer Cerys Matthews and drummer Christian Prommer. Billy Bragg and Frank Turner will be celebrating Woody Guthrie's centenary with concerts.
Final Curtain - Damon Albarn has said he believes Blur's summer gig in London's Hyde Park will be the band's last. The group are headlining a special show to celebrate the end of the Olympic Games on 12 August. When asked about the future of Blur and if they would perform again, the singer told The Guardian, "No, not really." He added although the band would be performing a new song at the summer gig, he did not "really see any more recordings after this".
(Jim Evans)
