RIP Noel McKoy…

[Godzilla]

Reports coming in overnight of the passing of Noel McKoy. Haven’t seen anything official yet but the news seems to be coming mostly from musicians who are his contemporaries, plus Eddie Piller etc. 

Very sad if true - he’ll have been just 61. Seen him loads of times with James Taylor Quartet and guesting with the likes of Snowboy and various Acid Jazz type outfits. I’ve always thought of him as a true - if possibly a little under-rated British Soul talent.

[Mike]

thanks @Godzillafor informing us of the sad news

Brief bio's below, also worked with Ian Levine in recent years

Noel McKoy was born in Clapham, London.

Noel lived with his Aunt Winnie who came over in the 1940s and then later sent for the whole family to come over. They then moved to Battersea in 1968, and Noel experienced a lot of racism early on in his new school.

The family had a history of music and his Mum and Aunt were both singers. Noel got involved in music early on and formed a school band, called “The Albions”. Noel put on many events in his teen years which also involved a dance group that evolved into “The Pasadenas” who had a UK Top Ten Hit with “TRIBUTE2 (RIGHT ON) which got to No.5 in the UK charts and performed on Top of The Pops. Afterwards Noel continued to tour and perform in backing bands and was involved with many recording artists. He has worked in many recording studios and also directed videos,  McKoy-Family.

Noel is a British-based soul music singer. His music is a collection of soul, gospel, funk, and Northern soul.

And he also currently owns the Dutch Pot.

Scroll down the page to see several YouTube interviews and a recording of his interview on Soundcloud.

https://www.blackheroesfoundation.org/wall-of-fame-exhibtion/noel/

more

With over forty years in the music industry, Noel has recorded, performed and toured the world with many of the greatest names in music including (but not limited to): The Staks Band, Stevie Wonder, Kool and The Gang, Ronald Isley, Gladys Knight, George Clinton, Womack and Womack, Atlantic Starr, Lonnie Liston Smith, The Sounds of Blackness, Nu Colors and Marcus Miller.

Noel has sung duets with UK stars including Mica Paris, Beverley Knight, Juliet Roberts and Ebony Alleyne. In addition, he’s collaborated with respected innovators Omar, Mark Morrison, Incognito’s Bluey Maunick, Steve Williamson, Linton 'Kwesi' Johnson, The Pasadenas and Acid Jazz’s Snowboy - all of whom consider him a major force to be reckoned with.

He has taken the stage by storm at New York’s legendary Apollo Theatre, London’s Royal Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Stevie Wonder requested Noel sing with him at his London 02 concerts.

As the songwriter for, and signature voice of The James Taylor Quartet’s most commercial period - completing 10 world tours and three albums with them, Noel McKoy was at the forefront of the 1990’s Acid Jazz explosion.

As well as his Solo ventures Noel is part of "The British Collective" UK Godfathers of Soul along side Omar, Don-e and Junior Giscombe.

https://umcmanagement.co.uk/umc-all-artists/noel-mckoy/

[Andy Cullup]

Very sad news. Saw him a few times with JTQ and always a performance to remember.

Such a great voice and very underated. Listen to his version of Lucky Fellow with Snowboy

RIP Noel and thanks

[Chalky]

Last saw him and managed a chat in Cleethorpes at the 6ts Weekender few years ago, same time as Derek Martin if memory serves.

Real sad loss to the UK and indeed Soul music in general.  

R.I.P. and thank you for the music.

[Mickey Finn]

Way too young, and a real loss to music-making and performance.

My first encounter with him was his vocal on JTQ's Love the life, which after 30+ years still raises the spirit.

Another one of those who would have been a bigger star in a world where real talent is properly valued.

[Geeselad]

Sad loss, never really had the credit he deserves. Was really into many of his releases in the 90's especially this 

https://youtu.be/9IwbrhRcS6Q

 

[Valiant55]

R I P, NOEL MCKOY,I WILL BE SPINNIN MY COPY OF,DETERMINED MAN,TONITE AT MY LOCAL SOUL VENUE️