Key member of popular 1960s Island band The Cherokees, Kenneth (Ken) Young, has died, aged 75.
For many, the Cherokees are revered as one of the Island’s best bands, and they supported the Rolling Stones in 1964 in two shows at Ryde Pavilion.
The Royal York, Ryde, was their stronghold and its 69 Club was the place to be. Drummer Mr Young was so respected there were rumours he might join The Shadows. 
Mr Young acted as booker for the Royal York, securing Gene Vincent as well as acts, such as T Rex, the Moody Blues, Yes and Fairport Convention.
The Cherokees released a single on Parlophone, Candle in the Wind, but it didn’t quite make the charts and the band disbanded in 1972.
Mr Young was born on the Island, the youngest son of Bessie and Clifford Young, in 1942.
He went to Upper Grade School, Ryde, then worked for Hepworth, the gents retailer, as a young man, before working in the motor industry.
He married first wife, Jane, and they lived at her parents’ hotel, the Trouville Hotel, Sandown, where Mr Young was bar manager.
He fell in love with Thailand after a holiday there and moved to the country, meeting and marrying his second wife, Jelly.
They spent five years running a Thai restaurant in Shanklin, and running IW Packaging, through which he got the nickname the Black Bag Man.
Cricket was a lifelong passion and Mr Young played for Ryde and Shanklin cricket clubs.
Mr Young returned to Thailand to retire — although the marriage had broken down.
He returned to the Island due to ill health and died at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on Boxing Day. 
He leaves two brothers, John and Ray.
A celebration of his life will be held at Holy Cross Church, Binstead, at 11am on Thursday, January 25.