Big Day Out founder Ken West remembered as legend of Australian music industry

The founder of Australia’s legendary Big Day Out festival has died aged 64.

The founder of legendary Australian music festival Big Day Out has died.

Ken West died at the age of 64 on Thursday morning.

His devastated family paid tribute, calling him a “father, husband’’ and “legend’’.

“Our family would appreciate respect and privacy during this difficult time. Ken was big and noisy in life but passed quietly and peacefully,” they said in a statement.

West pictured during the 2012 Big Day Out on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Big Day Out dominated Australia’s music scene from the 1990s until early 2010s and first launched with Nirvana as a headliner in 1992.

Headliners over the legendary nationwide festival’s lifespan included Neil Young, Kanye West, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Crowd surfer and dancing teenagers at Big Day Out, at the Wayville Showgrounds in 1995.

Homegrown acts including Powderfinger, Hilltop Hoods and Spiderbait also found a home on Big Day Out’s stages.

Adelaide rock band The Superjesus paid tribute to Mr West in a Facebook post.

“This guy was monumental in the establishment of our career, he gave us a chance when we were so young and put us on the Big Day Out when we had only performed two live shows prior,” the band wrote.

“He made so many careers of so many now well known bands, he really did so much for Australian music. The Big Day Out was the biggest festival in the world for a while there … and by god did we have fun.

“Thank you Ken, we are forever grateful and we can’t wait to see what you do in the next life.”

Mr West is survived by his wife Cathy and son Oliver.