A stalwart of Australia's music industry who created hundreds of thousands of memories via the Big Day Out, the event's founder Ken West passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday morning (7 April).
West was the vocal point of Australia's most iconic music festival, landing Nirvana as headliners for the inaugural Big Day Out event in 1992.The festival would attract the likes of Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, Bjork, Hole, The Offspring, Rage Against The Machine, The Prodigy and a stack more throughout the '90s, which established itself as the jewel in Australia's yearly summer festival season. The festival remained an annual staple until 2014.
"We bring unfortunate news that, Ken West; a father, husband, mentor and most of all a legend, has passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of the 7th April 2022," his family said in a statement.
"Our family would appreciate respect and privacy during this difficult time. Ken was big and noisy in life, but passed quietly and peacefully."
Many bands and artists have paid their respects via social media.
Killing Heidi
"We had some of the most pivotal gigs of our early career at the Big Day Out, and we were always incredibly stoked and honoured to be on that line-up with artists of the calibre that BDO booked."There was nothing else quite like it festival wise, it was a real era defining and game changing festival that's for sure.
"RIP Ken West, the Aus music scene thanks you for your work and your vision thanks."
The Superjesus
"We just heard the tragic news that Ken West the founder of the Big Day Out has passed away. This guy was monumental in the establishment of our career, he gave us a chance when we were so young and put us on the Big Day out when we had only performed two live shows prior."He made so many careers of so many now well known bands, he really did so much for Australian music. The Big Day Out was the biggest festival in the world for a while there – and by god did we have fun.
"We got to mix with all the massive American bands like they were our mates. Thank you Ken, we are forever grateful and we can't wait to see what you do in the next life."
Dave Graney
"RIP Ken West. Clare Moore and I first knew him in the Moodists days when he was working first with the Laughing Clowns and also bringing out acts like the Fall and New Order."We first went from Melbourne to Sydney playing in some situations he was making happen. Then he and Vivian Lees brought back rock festivals with the Big Day Out and we played it many times.
"The two of them were a great double act and brought such different aesthetics to what acts were on the bills.
"They were great events backstage and onstage and Ken was always in the thick of it all.
"Those Big Day Outs were so good for the Australian music scene, making great music accessible to people too young to get into pubs, and they also really worked outside of the record companies and booking agencies who then tried to put on rival events.
"Thanks Ken, you raised the bar and condolences to friends and family."
Support Act
"We are so sad to learn today of the passing of visionary promoter Ken West."Ken was always ahead of the curve when it came to the promotion of independent music from his early days in the '80s putting on brilliant shows at such iconic venues as the Paris Theatre in Sydney (with the Birthday Party, Laughing Clowns and the GoBetweens), Trade Union Club, and many more.
"Then the launch in the '90s of that amazing juggernaut, Big Day Out. He was an inspiration for so many people in our industry and will be greatly missed. Vale, legend."
Frank Sultana
"Big Day Out, throughout the 1990s. Massive times, huge influences, so many stories."Never got to meet or know you, but thanks for your work and vision Ken West. RIP."
