TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the founding fathers of Newport’s rockabilly scene after he died at the age of 74.

Danny Coffey, from Pye Corner, was known for his light-coloured draped suits and encyclopedic knowledge of all things rock ‘n’ roll.

Nicknamed ‘Breathless’ Dan Coffey because of his energy and dedication to the scene, Mr Coffey spent much of his life attending rockabilly gigs across the UK and America.

He regularly made trips to the US to follow the tour of rock ‘n’ roll's ‘first great wild man’, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even danced on stage with his wife, Faye, at one of his gigs.

The pair soon became friends, with the Coffeys even staying at Mr Lee Lewis’ ranch, and Mr Coffey named his first son after the ‘Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On’ singer.

Hitchhiking across America to attend gigs, Mr Coffey brought back hundreds of rare rockabilly vinyls from Sun Records artists in Memphis to Newport.

At a time when the only station that would play these records was Radio Luxembourg, and when more commercial artists like Cliff Richard were dominating the charts, it gave American artists who had never been heard in Wales a new audience.

It was a time when the rockabilly scene was at its height in Newport, with bands such as Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers, featuring Mr Coffey’s brother, Mike, leading the way.

Mr Coffey, himself, was well known for his flamboyant dance moves with his wife, Faye, at the Majestic Ballroom on Stow Hill and their home was nicknamed the rock house.

The pair even appeared on BBC’s Discs a Go Go, leaving a lasting impression with their jiving and Teddy Boy outfits in the early ‘60s.

Paying tribute, guitarist Robert Newcombe, 71, from Malpas, who was an acquaintance of Mr Coffey throughout his life, said he was “so well known” for his passion for the scene.

He said: “He was a real flamboyant character and nice bloke. Wherever he went, he would feast on rock 'n' roll – he dedicated his life to it.

“He had a great life and he lived it to the full.”

Mr Coffey later retired to Ireland where he continued to preach about rockabilly on social media, before dying at the age of 74 following a battle with pneumonia.