Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross has paid an emotional tribute in music to a band superfan who has fallen victim to Covid-19.
Dundee-born musician and broadcaster Ross recorded a piano version of one of the group’s biggest hits, Dignity, in honour of Bill Cox, just hours after learning of his passing.
In a YouTube video now viewed more than 12,500 times, 62-year-old singer/songwriter Ross spoke fondly of seeing Mr Cox at countless Deacon Blue concerts and solo shows.
Mr Cox’s devastated daughter, Melissa, said the poignant performance “means the world” to the grieving family.
In the YouTube video posted on Monday, Ross said: “We lost a real friend tonight. We heard the news of the death of Bill Cox, who was someone we got to know by stepping out of gigs and Bill would always be there.
“He’d be there are Deacon Blue gigs, he’d be there at my solo shows and he’d always be there, at lots and lots of gigs.
“He lost his battle with Covid-19 and we have been hearing updates from his daughter, Melissa, and we are just all terribly sad.
A lovely man called Bill Cox regularly met us after gigs. He never asked for requests or favours, he just loved the music. We will miss you so much, Bill. This is for you ♥️ https://t.co/OEpqMOcmdl
— Ricky Ross (@rickyaross) March 30, 2020
A message and a song for Bill Cox, R.I.P. https://t.co/RrD9DbAm9P
— Deacon Blue – City of Love ❤️ (@deaconbluemusic) March 30, 2020
For my dad who lost his fight today. @rickyaross this means the world to us and it will for dad as well.
Dad I will love you for ever and always xxx https://t.co/1qvv4uyrCq— Melissa (@melissalcox7) March 30, 2020
Very sad news, I remember chatting with Bill outside venues over the years. Love to his family and friends 💕
— ali (@aliupta) March 30, 2020
Oh, this is sad, sad news. It’s difficult to comprehend that Bill has lost his fight. He was a kind and genuine man whom I always enjoyed chatting to at gigs.
— Melanie Engelbrecht (@MelanieEngelbr5) March 30, 2020
“She told me that before Bill died she played him this song very, very loudly, so I want to play it tonight for Bill, very quietly,” said the singer.
Mr Cox’s daughter, in a Twitter message to the singer said: “This means the world to us and it will for dad as well.”
Messages of condolence to Mr Cox and praise for Ross’s “touching” and “wonderful” tribute have poured in from fans of the band.
From the album Raintown, Dignity was the band’s first official release in March 1987 and as one of the group’s best loved songs is a track which is often played to round off their gigs.
Ross penned the hit while on holiday in the Greek sunshine and its enduring popularity saw it performed at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
