TRIBUTES have poured in to Manchester music legend Johnny Roadhouse, who has died aged 88.

The saxophonist, who owned a music shop on Oxford Road, was known as a friend to the stars with customers including Paul McCartney and Oasis.

In his career as a saxophonist he worked with the likes of Elton John and Bob Hope and played with the Halle, Liverpool Philharmonic and English Philharmonic orchestras.

Former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce said: "Every single band in Manchester has gone through Johnny Roadhouse Music at some stage - it's impossible not to.

"Music shops come and go, but Johnny Roadhouse stays. It's synonymous with Manchester music."

Johnny, a grandfather of one from Chorlton, died in his sleep on Saturday morning at Manchester Royal Infirmary. His death followed a short illness.

Hs partner of 20 years, Ann Cowan, 66, of Chorlton, said: "Everywhere Johnny went people remembered him. But he wasn't a bighead - he wouldn't brag about anybody.

"Music was his life, although he never had a music lesson.

"He was a very good man and his loss will be deeply felt all over the world. To me he was a very special person and a special father to his four children."

Touring bands would often call at the store to chat and seek advice from Johnny.

Oasis paid homage to his shop when it appeared in one of their videos animated to look like an LS Lowry painting. Paul McCartney hired an acoustic guitar from the store to play on a session at the nearby BBC.

But Roadhouse's roots went back a lot further. Jazz musician John Dankworth was a regular at the shop and Les Dawson would regularly meet his agent there before he became famous.

Born John Roadhouse in Sheffield, he moved to Manchester as a boy and grew up at Lloyd Street, Moss Side.

TV and radio presenter Terry Christian said: "The man was an absolute institution in Manchester. All the biggest bands have been through those doors since the days when Top of the Pops was made in the city."

Stone Roses tour manager Steve Atherton said: "It's a sad day. He was a local legend.

"He had that passion about music. He could talk about it all day."


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