A well-known Australian DJ has died after suffering a tragic heart attack just days before he was due to travel to the UK for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ian Bell, 60, had been in Paris with his family for a holiday when he passed away. The sad news was confirmed by a friend on Facebook, according to the Mirror.
Reports in The Advertiser suggest the 60-year-old died on May 2 during his family's first stop in Paris with the trip due to conclude with them travelling to Liverpool for Eurovision which takes place next week.
Ian was a versatile nightclub DJ and pop culture expert as well as a music shop owner, music writer and photographer. He leaves behind his wife Jordan as well as their daughter Ruby and his sisters Susan and Janet.
The sad news was confirmed by a friend on Facebook , who wrote: "My special favourite man Ian Bell has passed away unexpectedly. I'm absolutely devastated.
"From the very moment I first met him, DJing in an Adelaide club, we had a special bond that the immense distance between our cities couldn't break.
"We wrote and performed a full comedy festival show together. We did everything to be in each other's lives. We always stayed at each other's houses when travelling for festivals or bands. We laughed a million times, he told me all of his wonderful stories a million times and we DJd together a million times. And yet it's not enough.
"Every celebrity you've ever thought of met Ian and he had a story about them all. If they were unkind when Ian would try to get them to sign his 7" pressing of their first obscure single I knew they were no good. Ian was, simply put, one of the very best humans and I will miss him very deeply forever.
"Ian was uniquely good to people and artists. He made every artist feel special. There was no fan like Ian. Yes, he'd meet Rod Stewart/whoever at the stage door, but he'd also make the drummer's day by complimenting him on his first teenage garage band that noone else had heard of. You didn't have to be even big star adjacent for Ian's support, he'd see everyone's show and make custom merch of tiny artists himself if they hadn't gotten round to it. He made everyone feel so loved and supported.
"With Ian's passing an immense wealth of pop culture knowledge disappears also. It is a tragedy for Australia. This country doesn't yet know what it has lost. We should have a day of national mourning.
"He was also the best father and husband anyone could hope for. Jordan and Ruby deserve every bit of love and support. This is hard enough for me, but Ian's devotion to his family makes his sudden absence even worse.
"I love you, Ian and I have lost all my eloquence in trying to say what you mean to me and to so many others. Goodbye my beautiful, funny, beloved friend. I will never forget you."
While tributes came pouring in as one said: "I am still processing this so very sad news. There is a DJ Ian shaped hole in my heart. A dear friend for so many years! I will miss you.
"Love and support to Jordie and Ruby from the LeRox family. Vale Ian Bell".
Another added: "This is such awful news. I have so much love for Ian and any time I have been lucky enough to catch up with him in person or over text over the years. A beautiful man full of kindness, encyclopaedic knowledge of pop culture and such enthusiasm for people, music and his family. Sending love to you, Jordan and Ruby, and anybody fortunate enough to call him a friend."
And a third said: "Oh, that's very very sad. He had tickets and plans. What a great DJ, he was. A major figure in the entertainment industry, and what a collection of autographs!"
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