Denis Parker, a legendary blues artist and builder of the local music industry, has passed away.

According to close friend and fellow musician John Hutton, Parker passed away in his sleep overnight on Saturday.

The musician grew up in London, England but found his way to this province in 1971.

It wasn’t long after Parker’s arrival here that he befriended Hutton.

He says they hit it off immediately, and really cemented that bond during the formation of the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Parker served as Executive Director of that organization from 1996 to 2014.

Hutton looks back at the time spent with his late friend fondly. He says they were in several bands together, including one called The Bald Brothers, which is how Hutton sums up the friendship.

“We were bald brothers … we were happy … we just had a wonderful time together,” says Hutton.

During his storied 50-year career, Parker released numerous recordings in varying genres ranging from blues to rock.