Peter Harris, founder and MD of Kickin Music and Slip N Slide, died last Sunday after losing a drawn out fight with cancer.
Harris formally launched the Kickin Music venture in 1989, the label quickly becoming a pioneer of all things hardcore and rave. A number of imprints were launched over the following years, and the company also moved into music publishing. Harris himself was an active player in the label community, sitting on the BPI's International Committee and PPL's Distribution Committee.
A statement from Kickin said yesterday: "Our dear friend, Peter Harris, founder and MD of Kickin Music Limited, sadly passed away on Sunday January 6th 2008 at 4 O'clock, after his long struggle with cancer. We hope that everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him will be with us when we pass on our sincere condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. R.I.P Peter".
In good spirits despite his cancer, one of Harris' instructions prior to his death was that his funeral take place at the weekend so friends driving across London to the service could avoid paying the congestion charge! With that in mind the funeral will take place on 19 Jan at All Saints church in Notting Hill. The label's statement added: "All friends of Peter are welcome to attend and we are in the process of organising a bereavement gathering at a suitable venue in his beloved Ladbroke Grove, to follow the funeral service, when details will be given out".