Tributes for Burnley DJ and long serving Padiham pub landlord Steve Hindley
Tributes have been paid to Steve Hindley, a well-known Burnley DJ and landlord, who died at the age of 63, leaving behind a legacy of music and community spirit.
Tributes have been paid to a well known Burnley DJ and landlord after his death at the age of 63.
Steve Hindley, who had a passion for music his entire life, had built up a vast collection of vinyl records which he cherished. He bought his first DJ set when he was just 14, borrowing the money from his mum. And the first record he bought was ‘Howzat’ by Sherbet.
After Steve’s death was announced social media was flooded with hundreds of messages of sympathy for his family from the many people who knew him.
A fan of all genres of music, Steve was a particular fan of Northern Soul. Back in the day he deejayed several Northern Soul themed cruises to Amsterdam, along with his wife Janet.
The couple met at the former El Tropicana club in Nelson and they were married for 36 years.
Born in Nelson, Steve grew up in Burnley, attending St John’s and St Mary’s RC primary schools and the former St Theodore’s RC High.
Steve, who was famed for his dry and sarcastic sense of humour, then went on to become one of the best known DJs at the former Cat’s Whiskers nightclub in Burnley, where he worked from 1980 to 1987 when the club was in its heyday. He was taken on by the manager Mike Connolly who became a mentor and father figure to Steve.
Steve worked with a number of celebrities at the Cat’s including 80s chat topper Nik Kershaw and Radio One DJ Simon Bates.
When the Cat’s closed Steve followed Mike to the former Hawthorne’s nightspot in Nelson for a number of years.
In the past 15 years Steve and his friend and fellow DJ Chris Byrne hosted a number of Cat’s Whiskers reunions after the first one, held at the former Lava and Ignite nightclub in Burnley, in 2011. Hugely successful, the reunions also raised thousands for Pendleside Hospice.
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Experts in the hospitality trade, at one time Steve and Janet ran around 20 pubs across Burnley and Nelson.
And for the past 25 years they have been mine hosts at Padiham’s Free Gardeners Arms pub. The couple are believed to have been the longest serving landlord and landlady in Padiham. Steve hosted regular Northern Soul nights at the pub with fellow DJ and friend Stuart Kelso.
When taking a break from work the couple holidayed in Benidorm where they owned a caravan. Steve referred to this as their ‘caravilla.’
Janet said: “I would like to thank everyone for the hundreds of messages of support and sympathy. Steve was very well known and I hope he knew how loved and popular he was.”
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Steve doted on his family, including his son and daughter, Ben and Sarah and his four grandchildren, Grace, Olivia, Harrison and Rosie. He was also one of six siblings.
Steve’s funeral takes place on Friday (November 13 ) at Burnley Crematorium at 11-30am. There will be a drive past the Free Gardeners at 11-15am and a celebration of his life will be held at the Longside Lounge at Turf Moor. In his memory all of Steve’s favourite tunes will be played.
Anyone who knew Steve is welcome to attend. There is a request for family flowers only and donations are being accepted in Steve’s memory for the British Heart Foundation.