TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'legendary' concert promoter who has died.

Ron Watts, who retired to Weymouth several years ago, organised gigs in the 1960s and 1970s which attracted thousands and kick-started the careers of many bands.

His ability to spot new talent helped to shape youth culture in the UK – most notably in 1976 during an exciting musical revolution when he arranged for punk band The Sex Pistols to play at London's 100 Club, which helped them on their way to stardom.

He was also instrumental in attracting famous American blues artists to play in England.

Divorced father-of-five Mr Watts retired to the most unlikely of rock 'n' roll places, Sutton Poyntz. He passed away in hospital following a long illness aged 73.

As well as his work behind the scenes Mr Watts had his time in the spotlight on stage as a singer through his involvement with the band Brewers Droop in the early 1970s. Although not commercially successful, the band attracted a cult following. Members included, at one stage, Mark Knopfler before he went on to form Dire Straits.

Mr Watts' friend Steve Darrington, who was also in Brewers Droop, paid tribute.

Mr Darrington said Mr Watts, who was born in Slough and later lived in High Wycombe, "influenced popular music and the lives of many".

He added that "life was always interesting when Ron was around".

He said: "I met him when I was 16 and the thing that impressed me about him was that he had vision.

"This was in the mid-1960s and everyone was out to have a good time. Ron said to me, 'when I go out I want to give something back'. He would sometimes burst into song or do a dance and have a laugh with people. He said if everyone did that the world would be a better place."

Mr Darrington, who organises the Swanage Blues Festival, added: "I was in an acoustic folk duo and Ron joined us on stage singing songs and doing crazy stuff. I remember one time we were jamming upstairs in a pub and the landlord came up and said could we stop our singer dancing because the plaster from the ceiling was falling into his customers' beer!"

For 25 years Mr Watts ran gigs out of the Nag's Head pub in High Wycombe, initially promoting the venue as the Blues Loft.

Later, after moving to London he would help to form the National Blues Federation which helped to bring other well-known artists to the UK.

Mr Watts is best known for his time promoting at the 100 Club in London's Oxford Street and in particular helping to organise the Punk Festival of 1976.

In 2009 he was interviewed for a film about punk icon Sid Vicious which was made to mark 30 years since his death.

Mr Watts spoke to the Dorset Echo in 2007 following the publication of his colourful autobiography, Hundred Watts, a revealing and funny account of his days at the cutting edge of the music business.

He said at the time: "I'm proud to have played my part. You come to realise just how important music is to people – it changes their lives."