Peter Stringfellow has died at the age of 77, his spokesperson has confirmed.
The so-called ‘King of Clubs’ built up a reputation in the nightclub industry over a number of decades after he opened a slew of venues across the world – including his eponymous “gentlemen’s club” in London’s Covent Garden.
Stringfellow’s early career in Sheffield saw him book such acts as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix at his clubs, though he later moved away from putting on normal music nights as he expanded his businesses in the 1980s.
Nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow has died at the age of 77. He talked to @BBCBenThompson about taking one of his biggest gambles…
…booking the Beatles. pic.twitter.com/HPGTwM0eo9
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) June 7, 2018
A spokesperson for Stringfellow confirmed his passing this morning (June 7), revealing that he’d kept his battle with cancer a secret.
“It’s very sad news,” Matt Glass said. “He passed away in the early hours of this morning. It was kept very private, he didn’t want to tell. He wanted to keep it a secret.”
Figures from the entertainment industry have been paying tribute to Stringfellow, including BBC DJ Tony Blackburn, who tweeted: “He was a terrific guy who lived life to the full and was a wonderful person to be with. He was always full of fun and, to me, was a big part of the 60s and 70s.”
See a selection of the tributes to Stringfellow below.
R.I.P Peter Stringfellow. Wow, a big part of our lives and one of Sheffield's finest. What a character. He introduced me and my mum to Princess Diana.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 7, 2018
Peter Stringfellow. That’s one person who won’t be arriving at the Pearly Gates thinking, “If only I’d…”
Except perhaps, “… lived longer”.
Got to be thinking of the young ones he’s left behind.— ???? ????? (@GregScottTV) June 7, 2018
RIP Peter Stringfellow – spoke at a Cambridge Union debate with him once; he was very good company.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) June 7, 2018
Rest in peace Peter Stringfellow .A true modern icon ??
— Jumpin Jack Frost (@djjjfrost) June 7, 2018
I met Peter Stringfellow once. He had a sense of humour beyond the haircut. I asked him what he'd be doing if he hadn't ended up running strip clubs. He said: "Two words: benefit fraud."
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) June 7, 2018