Friends, family and former colleagues of Adrian Collis gathered yesterday at Portsmouth Guildhall to pay tribute to the music industry professional who unexpectedly passed away late last year, and induct him into the venue’s iconic Wall of Fame.
It was a fitting tribute to Adrian who was best known locally as co-presenter and producer of Express FM’s multi award-winning The Soft Rock Show for over 14 years, and who had previously been responsible for inducting many greats of the music world to the Wall of Fame himself.
Passionate about his family, friends and rock music, after a career in IT, Adrian entered the pub trade and began promoting live music. Wanting to help musicians further, he set up an independent record label, promotions and PR company, Thoroughbred Music, through which he worked with many artists and managed his great friend, Andy Fraser from Free.
In 2009, Adrian met Geoff Dorsett, founder of The Soft Rock Show, a show which they would go on to co-present and produce, broadcasting more than 2,000 interviews in more than 20 countries.
Between them with the Guildhall team, Geoff and Adrian were instrumental in establishing Portsmouth Guildhall’s Wall of Fame which was introduced in 2014 to honour artists who had achieved great success and whose work had brought immense joy and entertainment to millions.
The last Wall of Fame induction, conducted post-Covid by Geoff and Adrian, was that of Roger Daltrey CBE who sits in the company of The Osmonds, Genesis’ Steve Hackett, Mark King of Level 42, Foreigners’ Mick Jones, Paul Jones of The Manfreds, Musical Director & keyboard player for Queen, Spike Edney, Gentle Giant, Jimmy James of Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and many more who had been inducted over the years.
Of his time working with Adrian, Geoff Dorsett said: “The Soft Rock Show at 18 years is the longest running show on Express FM and started on launch week. It had been running 4 years when I met Adrian, and it was a pleasure to invite him to be co-presenter and producer. It's the best decision I've ever made.
"He brought to the show a wealth of music knowledge and connections which gave the show added bonus as well as the benefits of a wonderful friendship and camaraderie. With his guidance we took the show to outside broadcasts, and it grew to award-winning international status. He often said it was ‘car crash radio’ but in a nice way!
"The venture we started in 2014 with Portsmouth Guildhall for The Wall of Fame has been a great success and Ade was heavily involved in the project. It is so fitting for him to be on the wall!
"Although The Soft Rock Show continues to expand across the world, it's not the same without my best friend Adrian and I miss him every day."
Yesterday’s induction was attended by a large number of guests including Spike Edney and Jim Cregan, testament to the respect Adrian held within the industry.
CEO of The Guildhall Trust, Andy Grays said: "A true friend of Portsmouth Guildhall and supporter of all that we do, it was always a pleasure to spend time with Ade and have the opportunity to meet and chat to some of music’s greats.
"Through his love and dedication to music and radio, Ade had well and truly earnt his place on the Wall of Fame of which he was such a part, and it was only right to honour him in this way."
The Wall of Fame, located in Portsmouth Guildhall’s North Foyer is available to view at all Portsmouth Guildhall concerts and events.
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
- Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute
Listen to the induction in-full here:
