Our good friend and colleague Carol Clerk died in her sleep on Saturday after a battle with cancer, which she met head on with typical humour and vigour.

Carol was an essential part of the Melody Maker team through the 80s and 90s as News Editor and writer. She also contributed to UNCUT, Classic Rock and The Quietus as well as writing many excellent books including The Saga Of Hawkwind, Pogue Mahone: Kiss My Arse: The Story of The Pogues, Madonna Style and The Damned: Light at the End of the Tunnel.

We would like to wish our deepest condolences to her family and friends, especially Nigel and Eve.

We will be publishing a longer tribute feature soon.

There is also a Facebook tribute group for Carol here.