Thank you for the music, Edwin Shirley By Christopher Walt°,
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EDWIN SHIRLEY, the man behind legendary entertainment logistics firm EST, died last week aged 64.
The company, which started in 1974 with just a second-hand bread van, soon expanded to become one of the leading players in the rock and roll trucking industry.
Under the slogan 'You Rock, We Roll' it provided logistics for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Sir Paul McCartney.
In 2011, it merged with Transam Trucking and continued to trade in tandem with Transam's existing premises in Suffolk, with a satellite depot and office maintained in Woolwich, south London.
Del Roll, at EST, confirmed Shirley had passed away on Tuesday 16 April.
Long-term business partner Emma Pascoe, daughter of Shirley's partner Marg Pascoe, said he died as a result of complications following his treatment for cancer.
"He loved his work and particularly all the great people we worked with. For now, I intend to keep his company going, if possible, as that is what he would expect of me," she said.
"He worked so hard even when he was feeling terrible with the chemotherapy, as it was his reason for living. Even to the very, end he was full of energy and talking about the next business plan. He was an extraordinary man and was loved by many," she added.
"I want to thank everyone for all their support over the years. It meant a great deal to Edwin."
David Steinberg, of rival rock and roll haulier Stardes, said he was shocked to hear of his death as he had only met up with him earlier in the year, and he had talked of "great ideas" for the future of the business.
"He was one of the founding fathers of our industry, and a pioneer and an icon of our industry," he said.