More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A family has paid tribute to a disc jockey who performed at various parties and music venues across Kent.
If you've ever held a birthday bash in Gravesend the chances are you've partied to the sounds of the late Stan Lee King.
The Higham-based DJ, who was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after his 60th birthday three years ago, performed at various stages across the UK in a career spanning five decades.
Described as the "King of the mobile DJs", Stan was perhaps best known for his jive busting "Roadshow" and hand-waving performances at the Woodville's popular under-18s event, Massive nights on Friday evenings.
Now, following his death last month, his family have paid tribute to the "larger than life" character who continued to gig and never complained – even while undergoing chemotherapy.
During his five decades on the decks, Stan, whose real name was Martin Cherry, performed slots with Radio One DJs down on the south coast, often away at six to eight weeks at a time.
In that time he had taken requests ranging from Candi Staton's 1976 hit Young Hearts Run Free to The Killer's classic, Mr Brightside, and everything in between.
But as daughter Hayley Doyle explains, the discs kept spinning when he got home.
"It was always a musical house, he had a massive range of songs," she said.
The 34-year-old Dartford resident recalls some of her cherished childhood memories spent watching her dad at the Woodville.
"I used to go to the under 18s night called Massive with my friends – that was a big part of our lives."
She described how it became the norm to see her dad on stage signing dance moves and watching everyone try to mimic them.
His funeral took place on Friday with more than 250 turning up to pay their respects.
Mrs Doyle shares one story she was told involving her dad and legendary Motown singer Edwin Starr following one of his many performances on the coast.
She said: "Edwin asked my dad for a lift. My dad said 'I can but you'll have to sit in the back of the transit on a box as the road crew sit in the front'."
He agreed and they had just left the venue at 1am when they were pulled over by the police who seemed unconvinced by my dad's suggestions he had the "War" singer in tow.
When officers opened the back doors to reveal Starr sitting on a box in fancy dress, the policemen were in fits of laughter, all got signed autographs and then let the disc jockey on his way.
Close friends and family describe Stan as the "life and soul of the party" who simply "loved telling jokes".
His full-time disco days came to an end in 1989 when he decided to open Ebbsfleet Printing Solutions in Northfleet.
Work colleague and friend Jack Gibbs said he spent much of his time in complete awe of Stan who was a "brilliant and funny man".
"He would say 'We don’t get much money, but we’ll get a laugh' and that is the Stan that I knew, always laughing, or telling a joke to make someone laugh."
Friend and fellow DJ Al D'Mello credits Stan as the "King of the Mobile DJs" and a "legend of the dance floor".
He said: "I doubt there are many people in Gravesend or even Kent who sometime in their lives have not been entertained by the Stan Lee King Roadshow.
"Stan lived life to the full and his love for all his friends and family is an example for all of us to follow."
Stan is survived by wife, Sandra, daughter Hayley and son Sam who will be following in his father's footsteps next month when he puts on the headphones for a special tribute gig at the Woodville.
The family are also fundraising for the Galton day unit and the Lawrence ward at Medway Maritime Hospital where he was treated. Click here to donate
Showcasing selected hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, Stan Lee King's Disco Night is being held at the Woodville on Saturday, March 14.
Tickets cost £9.50 and can be purchased at www.woodville.co.uk
