TRIBUTES have been have paid to a North-East filmmaker who worked with some of the biggest names in music.

Gavin Taylor, who directed concerts by Michael Jackson, Queen and U2 died aged 71, following a short illness, at St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth, Newcastle, late on Wednesday night.

He directed ground-breaking Chaennel 4 music show The Tube at Tyne Tees Television in Newcastle before achieving acclaim by filming U2 at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado, for the live album Under A Blood Red Sky.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-three, who leaves his wife Margaret, also worked with Queen, Sting, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Bryan Adams and Quincy Jones.

Friend and former colleague Keith McWhirter, who was a news cameraman, said: “He was a great guy, a good laugh and was always quick with a joke. He was one of the greats.”

Mr Taylor, who lived at Darras Hall in Northumberland, worked for Tyne Tees from 1960 until 1996 when he filmed the first Michael Jackson concert for the Royal family in Brunei through contacts he made through his work on television music show, The Tube.

Mr Taylor’s friend and former colleague, Bob Whittaker, manager director of Orion TV, said: “Gavin was much loved and respected by all of those who worked with him. Charming and modest, he was a legendary figure. ”