Blues legend Victor Brox's funeral to take place on Monday

Victor Brox pictured during his last ever performance at the Great British Rock and Blues Festival in Skegness in January. He was very frail but still sounded amazing. Image courtesy of Ken Jackson

The funeral service and celebration of the life of hugely popular Ashton-born blues legend Victor Brox will take place on Monday (March 20).

Eighty-one-year-old Victor, described as 'probably one of the most underrated champions of the British Blues scene and its unsung hero', was massively popular in Oldham, having played countless gigs in the town over the years. 

He passed away on February 20.

Victor's funeral service will take place at the Albion United Reform Church in Ashton (OL6 6QQ), from 12.15pm.

Parking there is limited, however, so please consider using a local car park.

Committal will then take place at the Dukinfield Crematorium, from 1.30pm.

A special musical procession has then been planned from 3pm, going from the Band on the Wall venue on Swan Street in central Manchester, heading round to Matt & Phred's, which is on Tib Street.

The wake will continue at Matt & Phred's.

Victor had worked with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, Charlie Mingus, Memphis Slim, Dr John, Aynsley Dunbar, Graham Bond, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, Country Joe McDonald, Peter Bardens, Keith Moon and Dave Wood.

He was reportedly described by Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner as their favourite white blues singer.

He was also the lead singer of The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation in which he also played keyboards, and sometimes the cornet.

He was still on the road playing pubs with locally recruited musicians as recently as the Spring of last year.

Victor's daughter Kyla Brox is also an accomplished blues musician.

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