THE family of a Nottingham musician who died of cancer are to set up a charity in his memory.
The Roy De Wired Scholarship Fund will aim to help young and talented musicians find their way into music and the industry.
It is in honour of city musician Roy De Wired, who died on January 21 aged 52.
Fellow musicians have described the artist – whose real name was Roy Stewart, of West Bridgford – as a legend of Nottingham's music scene.
His widow, Sarah Stewart, 42, said the family want to set up the charity to create a lasting legacy which reflected her husband's love of music.
Mrs Stewart said: "I feel that Roy was such a big name within Nottingham that it'd be a real shame not to keep his name going.
"There are a lot of children out there that want to learn music or go on to study it and take it up as a career. There may also be youngsters who desperately want to learn an instrument but their parents can't afford one. The scholarship fund could help.
"It's all about encouraging music. That's what I think Roy would have wanted."
Mr Stewart began learning music as a child and was bought his first guitar by his father at the age of 12.
The scholarship has the backing of Mr Stewart's son, Jordan, stepchildren Adam and Charlotte, his parents Louie and Amelia, who now live in America, and his brother and sister, Terry and Beverley Stewart, who both live in Notts.
Mr Stewart performed at venues across the city over the last 30 years.
He was a regular performer at a number of pubs and bars in Nottingham, including the Southbank and the Approach.
Musician Joe Strange, whose group the Joe Strange Band were resident artists at the Southbank with Mr Stewart, said the scholarship would be a fitting legacy to his friend.
Mr Strange, 33, of Mapperley, said: "It's a great idea as there aren't that many charities in Nottingham which help musicians out. I think it will be a great thing for young musicians to get involved in."
He added: "Roy pioneered something in Nottingham. At a time when people were just DJ-ing in bars, he came along with his guitar and vocals and made a micro music industry in Nottingham.
"I think it's unique to the city. When you go to other cities the quality of live music isn't a patch on that here in Nottingham, and that's thanks to Roy."
A funeral service for Mr Stewart will be held in the coming weeks, and is by invitation only.
A memorial concert will be held in the summer to celebrate his life and music. People can make a donation to the new charity by sending cheques payable to the Roy De Wired Scholarship Fund to Sarah Stewart, 8 Rosthwaite Close, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6RA. For further details visit www.roydewired.com.
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