Newport TJ's Venue Owner John Sicolo Dies

John Sicolo, the owner of one of Wales' most famous venues, Newport TJ's [pictured], has died aged 66. He died at 6am GMT on Sunday at the Royal Gwent hospital. Mr Sicolo had been admitted to hospital for a knee replacement operation but the cause of his death remains unknown. His family are expected to release a statement later today.

Newport TJ's opened almost 40 years ago and in that time has hosted gigs by Oasis, Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream and former Clash singer Joe Strummer, among many others.

The venue also achieved fame as the place where Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain proposed to Hole's Courtney Love. Speaking to Spinner last year, Mr. Sicolo remembered the night with fondness.

"Kurt drove down in a Skoda as far as I know and to be honest I didn't know who he was," he explained. "I was about to charge the bloke to get in until they told me who he was. He'd just said he was there to meet up with Courtney. In the end they persuaded me to let him in and that was the night he proposed!"

Music promoter Julian Blake paid tribute to Mr Sicolo, telling the BBC, "He was a legend who brought many bands to Newport. He put Newport on the global music map to the extent that Newport was said to be the new Seattle."

The venue was also a favourite of the influential late DJ John Peel who regularly called the venue "the legendary TJ's."