Tributes paid to Newark’s popular man Andy McKay

Tributes are being paid to a well-known ‘local legend’ who has died.

Andy McKay was a popular member of the Newark community, especially on the town’s open mic circuit, with his distinctive slide blues guitar as a soloist and as part of a duo.

His family said that Andy knew how to throw a good party, often referred to as ‘Mckaystock’ organising many live bands and generous ‘donations only’ bar:

“He had a gift of being able to talk to, find common ground and draw out interesting facts from simply anyone while being totally non-judgemental.”

Andy was born in Manchester on June 9, 1948, and having spent his early years in Chapel En Le Frith in Derbyshire, he met his wife Nikki at art college in 1967.

He then trained as a teacher, worked as an art teacher at Rufford Comprehensive and became a lecturer in film at Lincoln University.

He made several independent films and had wide experience in media and theatre production as an independent producer, teacher, and advocate for the development of the independent film sector.

One of the highlights of his creative career was being a founding member of the consortium that formed Intermedia and Broadway in Nottingham, as well as Head of Media, Publishing and Visual Arts at East Midlands Arts.

Part of a large family, Andy will be remembered as a ‘kind and inspirational’ grandad who encouraged his grandchildren to follow their passions and his four children to be leaders.

Later in life, he moved to Newark where he had his own studio and had a passion for performing gigs around the area and open mics in the town’s pub scene. His family described him as being a “local legend” in Newark’s music scene.

He also supported and helped his wife Nikki build a studio so she could develop as an artist.

The Rose and Crown pub in Farndon shared their tribute on their Facebook as they wrote: “Andy was a regular at our open mic and he will be greatly missed. Lovely guy and very talented musician.”

His family added in their tribute to Andy: “He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

“He was an outstanding artist, teacher and an inspiration to many young people.

“He was creative and a force of nature who loved tending his huge garden.

“A renaissance man who had a huge love and support of his family.”

People across social media have shown their sadness as they said one last goodbye, from poetry to a brief message, the family was showed support and care for what people described as a ‘lovely man’.

Rowan Cozens, deputy leader and portfolio holder for heritage, culture and the arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, described And as a "Newark legend” who will be sadly missed, and sent her love to his family.

Newark’s Heritage Barge owner, Les Reid, and also a frequent open mic goer, shared his sadness about Andy’s death.

He said: “Good friend Andy will be greatly missed in the Newark music and open mic community.”

Andy’s long-dated friend Tony Smith, who has known the artist for over 30 years, shared his disbelief that ‘a legendary figure is not around any longer’, and that every time he bumped into Andy at his home by the river, it felt “like walking on to a film set while they were making Harry Potter”.

He described Andy’s “zany character and far-flung sense of humour” who enjoyed life-long friendship of adventures.

“To many he was an old guy who played slide guitar songs at the open mic nights.

“To me he was like Gandolf.

“I met him when he was an old man, and my mate's dad.

“He then developed into a legendary figure that you thought would be around forever.”