Promoter extraordinaire, Neil Blyden, dies

Former chairman of the BVI Tourist Board and stalwart in the local entertainment industry, Neil Blyden, passed away suddenly on Sunday (January 1).

Blyden, who also made unsuccessful attempts to become a political representative, was widely known as Mr Melee.

His brother Robin Blyden announced the apparent sudden death on social networking site Facebook saying: “My brother Neil Blyden passed away today.”

The circumstances surrounding his death are not clear, but he was reportedly found unresponsive at his Tortola home some time after sunset.

The late Blyden, whose gently calm voice could often be heard delivering a number of commercials, was the operator of ZVCR FM.

He also owned a marketing company – Neil Blyden & Associate.

Blyden, who was revered as a strong promoter and emcee, marketed huge events such as the BVI Music Fest as well as the emancipation and Easter festivals.

The late businessman ultimately went on to promote the British Virgin Islands internationally when he served under the Virgin Islands Party government as Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board from 1999 to 2003 and then from 2010 to 2011.