Max Millward (Blue Max)

 

I didn't know Max until after the Cat's had closed but I was well aware of his part in making the club the iconic place it became. When he passed away, I was concerned it may go unnoticed by the media so I contacted the Express & Star, Wolverhampton's evening news paper to make them aware. I think they were on the case anyway as they did pay a nice tribute to 'Blue Max'. - James Adrian Marchant (2026)

DJ dies as he finishes set in club

By Laura Stuart-Cook

A popular DJ and record shop owner credited with bringing Northern Soul to the Black Country has died of a heart attack, aged 67, after performing in a club Grandfather Max Millward - known as DJ Blue Max - died in New Cross Hospital on Sunday after performing a set at the Brookfields Club, known as The Stables, iii Cannock Road, Shareshill, on Saturday night. An ambulance was called after Mr. Millward said he felt short of breath.

The founder of Max Millwards Records in Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, he was renowned amongst soul fans for his collection of rare Northern sou vinyl's and popular DJ sets.

The shop closed in 2008 because of growing competition from larger stores. Mr Millward had been married to wife Linda, aged 54, of Birchfield Close, Essington, for 30 years. Thcy have two children, Katie aged 30 years, and Jamie, aged 27, and a granddaughter.

PASSION

Mrs. Millward said: "He had a smile for everybody and was always happy to help. music was his passion and he had many friends. "He'd complained of indi­gestion before the gig but we didn't know anything was seriously wrong," Mr. Atkins, landlord of the Great Western, in Corn Hill, Wolverhampton, today paid tribute to his friend of 35 years. Mr Atkins who was a DJ in the 1970s, said: "Max was due to play here at a soul night on Sunday. It's a shock that he's gone. "He was a lovely man who never had a bad word to say about anyone. All the DJs used to get their records from his shop in Wednesfield because it was the best."

Friend Adrian Marchant added: "Max Millward is known the length and breadth of the UK as a pio­neer of Northern Soul and has done more than anyone to make Wolverhampton a soul music capitol." Wolverhampton based promoter Tony Perry added " We used Max quite a lot, he was the kind of bloke who would help anybody. His knowledge of soul music was outstanding."