FESTIVAL FOUNDER DEAD

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 to the “father, husband’’ and “legend’’.

“Our family would appreciate respect and privacy during this difficult time,” they said in a statement.

“Ken was big and noisy in life but passed quietly and peacefully.”

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

Headliners over the nationwide festival’s lifespan included Neil Young, Kanye West, Metallica, Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam along with homegrown acts Powderfinger, Hilltop Hoods and Spiderbait.

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