In 2001, Faithless singer Maxi Jazz broke his pelvis in a car crash, but that didn't stop his love of racing.
The music icon, who has died at the age of 65, was left temporarily unable to walk by the crash and and Faithless had to pull out of their world tour, but his enthusiasm for cars endured.
His impressive collection was shown on Sky One's Vroom Vroom motoring show, and included a Subaru Impreza P1, a Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000, a Ford Fiesta Zetec S.
He told the Fuelling Around podcast in 2020, that he had sold only one car he had bought, a Subaru, and he still regretted saying goodbye.
He said: “Once I’ve formed a relationship with a motorcar that’s it, it’s mine and it’s not going anywhere.”
Four years after his car crash, in 2005, he raced a Ginetta and the following years competed in the Porsche Carrrera Cup GB.
Speaking to Jason Plato and Dave Vitty, Maxi comparted racing cars to performing live, saying: “Gigging is a bit like racing, you can only enjoy it when it’s over,” he said.
He knew how dangerous the sport is, explaining that when he's racing he's using "scared stiff".
Maxi said that he could be moved to tears when he saw the chequered flag as a race neared its end, as it meant he had completed the competition safely.
Maxi's bandmate Sister Bliss announced the sad news of his death earlier today, as she paid tribute to the late singer on Twitter.
Sharing a picture of Maxi with her followers, she wrote: "Maxi Jazz 1957 - 2022. We are heartbroken to share that Maxi died peacefully in his sleep last night. Sending love to all of you who shared our musical journey. Look after each other y’hear."
A statement shared on the musician’s Instagram said: “We are heartbroken to say Maxi Jazz died peacefully at his home in South London last night.
“He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways. He gave proper meaning and message to our music.
“He was also a lovely human being with time for everyone and a wisdom that was both profound and accessible. It was an honour and, of course , a true pleasure to work with him.
“He was a brilliant lyricist, a DJ, a Buddhist, a magnificent stage presence, car lover, endless talker, beautiful person, moral compass and genius.
“Rollo, Sister Bliss & The E-Type Boys.”
Born in Brixton, London in 1967, Maxi founded The Soul Food Cafe System as a DJ in 1984, having discovered hip hop a year earlier, before going on to meet Rollo Armstrong in a studio and forming the group Faithless.
Reggae band UB40 remembered Maxi as a "lovely guy" this evening, as they recalled touring with him in 2017 with his band Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys.
Radio DJ MistaJam, whose real name is Peter Dalton, recalled meeting Jazz and coming away feeling like he was the “kindest man with such an aura about him”.
He added in his tribute on Twitter: “His words and performances touched so many of us and he’ll be sorely missed. Love to @thesisterbliss and the whole @faithless family. Rest in Power Maxi Jazz!”
