Tributes paid to Hull Adelphi Club owner Paul ‘Jacko’ Jackson, who has died age 71: “One of the real lifers in music”

Tributes have been paid to Paul ‘Jacko’ Jackson, owner of the Adelphi Club in Hull, who has died aged 71.

Jackson set up the iconic live venue on De Grey Street in 1984, before it went on to host iconic bands like Pulp, Oasis, Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand, The Stone Roses, Kaiser Chiefs, Green Day and The Housemartins.

He died on Tuesday (March 31) following “a short illness”, the venue shared on Instagram.

“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Paul (‘Jacko’) Jackson of The New Adelphi Club in Hull, peacefully this morning at Dove House Hospice following a short illness,” the caption read. “Funeral and testimonial events will be announced following a short period of private reflection for Paul’s family and close friends.

“We look forward to paying tribute to Paul and his life’s achievements with you soon. Information about these events will be posted on our website. Shine brightly.”

Radiohead’s Philip Selway commented on the post, paying tribute to Jackson: “Rest in Power Jacko! Always a total pleasure to spend time with him. So grateful for all the support that he gave Radiohead and everything he did for the live community. An amazing and inspiring man!”

Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos also commented, saying it was “very sad news” and adding that he has “such fond memories of the Adelphi”, while author, journalist and Membranes member John Robb wrote: “Sad news – we played some memorable gigs there when it first opened”.

Also paying tribute was Nath Clarke of Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club. “Be at rest big man! One of the real lifers in music. A goal of developing the local music community, rather than profit,” he shared.

“In a world where honours are given out quite randomly, Jacko is someone who holds a true honour of public appreciation from all the music community, in the region and far beyond.”

The Music Venue Trust shared their respects too, describing him as “one of the finest grassroots music venue owners this country has ever known” and adding that they were “deeply saddened” to hear the news.

“The Adelphi Club is more than a venue. It is a lifeline for artists, a home for communities, and a cornerstone of the UK’s live music ecosystem. That is Paul’s legacy,” the tribute continued. “For decades, he dedicated himself to giving artists a stage, often long before the rest of the UK was paying attention. Generations of musicians found their footing in his venue. Countless fans found belonging there. He held a space that mattered.”

The MVT also looked back at honouring Jackson with the 2019 Music Venue Trust’s Outstanding Achievement Award at Venues Day, and said that it was because of his “his contribution to grassroots music venues [that] was profound, unwavering, and deeply felt across the entire sector.”

Since December 2017, the Adelphi Club has been run as a community interest company, and Jackson kept involved as one of the directors.

Others to have paid tribute to Jackson include one of the club’s photographers, Ian Rook, who formed a “really long friendship” with the club owner after reaching out to him in the late ’90s looking for work.

“I was at the Adelphi almost every night for many years just photographing some of the artists that came through,” he told BBC News. “I don’t think his contribution to the music scene in Hull and wider [afield] can be underestimated. He always supported artists he believed in. He never followed trends or anything like that.”

Last January, the Adelphi Club made headlines when a tiny stage that hosted performances by Oasis, The Stone Roses and more was rediscovered.

It dated back to the ’50s, and was found as the owners booked a carpet refit. It was lost when the club remodelled and extended the venue in 1995. According to BBC News, Oasis played at the Hull club shortly before then, performing live in April 1994, just before they shared ‘Supersonic’ as the lead single from their debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’.