A tribute has been unveiled to a Macclesfield music legend.

Will Read enjoyed a glittering career which saw him appear on Britain's Got Talent and tour with Gloria Estefan.

Sadly, following a battle with cancer, Will passed away in August 2024, age 51.

On Thursday (March 20), a blue plaque was unveiled at Mash Guru, one of his favourite venues.

Will's brother Tom, also a professional musician, said: "It was a really good evening, the venue was packed with Will's friends, family and fellow musicians.

"It was an emotional evening but Will was a larger-than-life character who loved to have fun.

"He said he wanted everyone to remember him with enjoyment, happiness and live music, so that is what we did."

An evening of live music accompanied the plaque unveiling last week (Credit: Tom Read)

Will's love for music began at an early age, learning to play a number of instruments and performing with local bands while still a student at Puss Bank School.

In 2012 he rose to national fame with The Showbears on Britain's Got Talent.

The sparkly-dressed trio made it to the live semis, appearing in the grand final as a surprise guest act.

The following year Will joined Gloria Estefan's band for her 2013 European Tour, before becoming the musical director on Sun Cruises.

Will said he wanted to be remembered with 'enjoyment, happiness and live music' (Credit: Tom Read)

Will was a good friend of Mash Guru's owners, Jane Birch and Pete Mason.

He played in a band with Pete, Butterfly Jam, and even helped to decorate the venue ahead of its opening.

Will's father, Roger, already has a plaque at Mash, so it was a logical place to have a lasting tribute to him.

The unveiling event on Thursday featured live music, with a band featuring many of Will's friends and former bandmates.

His brother Tom, 54, played the bass and even got on the microphone.

"I don't normally sing but I did step and do one, just for a bit of fun," said Tom.

"Whenever I go out for a drink with my sons in Macclesfield, Mash has always been somewhere we would call into so we can see my dad's plaque.

"It's quite comforting, just knowing that they are remembered in a space that was so fond for them."

The blue plaque is on display at Mash Guru now (Credit: Tom Read)

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