Tributes paid to "legend" DJ Silver Fox after death at 87

Thursday 30 November 2023

Roger Peters - known to many as Sark's DJ Silver Fox - died earlier this week, with the word "legend" being used repeatedly as friends, colleagues and fellow DJs pay tribute to him.

Having moved to the island after a chance encounter with a hotelier who was short staffed while he was on holiday, the Silver Fox has been a popular entertainer in Sark for decades.

Born on 7 October 1937, he grew up in London before a spell in the army and then starting his musical journey which in turn led him to having a chance of being the oldest working DJ in the world before his death on Tuesday afternoon aged 87.

One of Mr Peters' longtime friends confirmed he was still DJing earlier this year and was intending to again.

Neil Martin - the owner of Guernsey's Mojito which hosted the Silver Fox in December last year - said he had been very friendly with him for 25-30 years.

He described him as "a Villa supporter and a whiskey drinker".

The latter characteristic confirmed in a picture posted to his DJ Silverfox-Sark Facebook page in 2019.

Mr Peters' had not been well recently having caught pneumonia, said Mr Martin. 

"He was DJing until very recently," he said. "He played about a year ago for me, and he's played since then (in Sark).

"He hadn't been well for about six months, he caught pneumonia.

"I was due to go and see him but I've got a cold so I couldn't go over," said Mr Martin who confirmed his friend's death to Express and gave us a lengthy tribute to a man who raised thousands of pounds for a charity helping children affected by the Chernobyl disaster through his legendary disco nights at Sark's pubs. 

Pictured: As well as many years' spent DJing at the Mermaid and Bel Air in Sark, DJ Silver Fox appeared at multiple other events such as an end of Lockdown party at Hathaways and Sarkfest.

Mr Martin told Express that the young SilverFox had grown up in London but then lived in Sark for a long time.

"His father was the head of the gas company," he explained, "and Roger joined the army on national service. He worked part time at Ronnie Scotts where he met quite a number of American servicemen and got into the jazz scene.

"Then he was a travelling salesman, and he gave all that up and bought a food outlet."

Explaining how Mr Peters came to live in Sark, Mr Martin said his first marriage didn't work out so he took a holiday in the island which is where he fell in love again. 

"He went on holiday to Sark on his own, and the hotel manageress said she didn't have any staff and asked him to cook his own breakfast. That's how he stayed in Sark. He was chef-ing and then he set up and ran the Harbour Cafe. He did a disco there a long time ago, and then started DJing elsewhere."

Mr Martin is still in touch with his friend's son and daughter, who lives in Sark. He shared stories of their father which should make them very proud.

"One of his major feats he achieved was for the Chernobyl children," said Mr Martin.

"He donated all the door money from discos at the Mermaid to them. He raised thousands of pounds.

"He's been written about in a book; The Kings of Sark, and he's been interviewed on various TV channels as he was one of the world's oldest DJs," added Mr Martin.

Pictured: Picture from Sarkfest 2022.

DJ Silver Fox's position as a "legend" has been confirmed by others paying tribute to him in the short time since his death on Tuesday,

Guernsey based musician and event organiser Mark Guillou co-organises the annual Sarkfest.

"We are very sad to hear of Roger's passing," he said.

"His performances at Sarkfest 2021/22 were legendary and we will certainly be raising a toast to him at Sarkfest 2024.

"RiP The Silver Fox."

Guernsey based DJ James Turner has also organised events in Sark which led him to meet Mr Peters.

"I first met The Silver Fox in 2015 when I did an event at the Bel Air called 'SarkLife' and he attended," he explained.

Pictured: DJ James Turner paid tribute to his fellow DJ Silver Fox by sharing a photo of himself wearing a t-shirt bearing the image and signature of the "absolute legend".

"He approached me during my DJ set and asked if he could 'play a few tunes' to which I agreed as everyone was cheering for him to play. He got on the decks and played a couple of house classics and the whole place erupted!

"He’s entertained me on the dance floor many times since!

"What an absolute legend he was. He will be missed greatly by all."

Sark politician and businessman Paul Armorgie has also paid tribute to Mr Peters and said that he was a "Sark institution".

"We are saddened to learn of the death of Roger Peters, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time," he said.

Above: DJ Silver Fox was entertaining crowds as recently as May this year, before the then-86-year-old fell ill with pneumonia.

As Director of Stocks Hotel, Mr Armorgie had booked DJ Silver Fox for his hotel many times over the years while also enjoying his music at other venues in the island.

"Roger was a legend in Sark, especially when he performed as 'DJ Silver Fox'," he said.

"We believe that Roger had been DJ-ing for 60 years. He had become a Sark institution for many people, both locals and visitors alike and across all age groups. Roger performed at Stocks on many occasions primarily for wedding receptions. Often Brides & Grooms would specifically request that Roger played at their weddings because his music appealed to all age groups.

"He was very much an ‘old school’ DJ who knew how to fill a dance floor by playing classic music for dancing, as opposed to necessarily more modern ‘dance music’."

Mr Armorgie said the Silver Fox was "affectionately known as the ‘oldest swinger in town’ by many of his loyal fans.

"Roger’s DJ talents were in demand across Sark and beyond. He frequently played at the Mermaid Tavern, The Bel-Air Inn and the Island Hall in Sark. He recently played a set on the main stage in a marquee at the ‘Sark Fest’ summer music festival. Roger also played at venues in Guernsey and further afield. 

"For many years and for many people, 'DJ Silver Fox' was synonymous with having a great time at great parties in Sark. Roger will be remembered with great affection by many people," he said.

Pictured top: Image from the DJ Silverfox-Sark Facebook page.