Hot Press is deeply saddened by the news that Vince Power, the legendary figure behind the Mean Fiddler Organisation, died yesterday. He was 76.

The Waterford man came to prominence across the Irish Sea through his involvement in the Mean Fiddler set-up, the London Fleadh, Reading Festival, Glastonbury and countless other live endeavours.

After selling the Mean Fiddler Organisation he then set up the Vince Power Music Group and involved himself with Spain's Benicassim festival. He then launched the sold-out A Day At The Hop Farm festival in Kent, headlined by Neil Young and notable for its lack of a VIP area, and the Feis in Liverpool.

Although his main music industry dealings were in the UK, Vince brought it all back home in 1993 when he staged the Fleadh Mor on Tramore Racecourse with Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Joan Baez and Van Morrison among the headliners. He also opened a Dublin Mean Fiddler on Wexford Street in what is now Opium, with Jerry Lee Lewis, Christy Moore, Mercury Rev, World Party and Iggy Pop some of the amazing nights we remember spending there.

He enjoyed a close relationship with the Bob Dylan camp and was one of the first industry figures to recognise the potential of The Pogues.

Here's a selection of the tributes that have been pouring in:

My first interview on Beat was with actress Anna Friel. She asked if her friend could sit in on the interview… Vince Power, who happened to be one of the owners of the station. I was shitting it, but he was a complete gent and said the kindest words after the interview. RIP https://t.co/jhORVVCGZR

— Niall Power (@mrniallpower) March 10, 2024

What Vince Power did for the music scene in London, and later Reading, Leeds and Phoenix festivals, was nothing short of revolutionary. I lived in a Mean Fidler House in the 80’s, and we saw incredible acts every week. He was very unassuming. Thanks for all the music, Vince pic.twitter.com/BbHhGYA1RC

— Julie Ward (@JulieWard_) March 10, 2024