The level of grief in Keighley is proof of the popularity of a musician who died after an alleged street attack, his partner said.

Bass guitarist Kevin O'Brien lost his battle for life in Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, after he was found with serious head injuries in Oakworth Road, Keighley, in the early hours of Sunday, January 13.

His former partner Melanie Bolton - the mother of his two children, aged nine and six - said: "There was sheer shock around town when people heard.

"That speaks for itself and shows he was a very popular and likeable guy."

Friends have organised a benefit concert at the Victoria Hotal in Cavendish Street, Keighley, on Friday in his memory.

"Kevin would be so touched that people thought so much of him to do this gig," said Melanie.

"He was actually a shy person, polite. He had a different personality off stage.

"I saw his soft side - if you saw him in the pub he would be sitting quietly in the corner.

"He was very family-based - he was very close to his mum and brother and sisters and very loyal."

Mr O'Brien's band, Spandex Caravan, will be continuing to play concerts following his death.

"He would not have wanted them to stop - his brother Paul told them that," Melanie said.

Melanie, 35, said Kevin, a former pupil of Holy Family School in Keighley, and an electroplater, had been involved in music since he was a 16-year-old in his heavy metal first band, Garden of Remembrance.

They had had a chance to sign a record deal and one of the highlights of his musical life was playing on the same stage in London as one of his favourite bands, Iron Maiden.

Mr O'Brien's barman brother Paul, 23, of Keighley, said: "Kevin's main loves were his children, family and music. He had a big influence on me and I looked up to him.

"He taught me to play bass at 14 and I'm proud to be taking his place in Spandex Caravan, the band that he started."

The 31-year-old's funeral was taking place today at St Anne's Church, Keighley.

  • Debi Graham, 21, and Dean Swan, 31, of Acres Street, Knowle Park, Keighley, and Andrew Graham, 22, of Aireville House, North Street, Keighley, have been charged with manslaughter, robbery and actual bodily harm in connection with Mr O'Brien's death.

They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear next at Bradford Crown Court on April 9.