John Sicolo R.I.P.  

Newport today mourns the death of John Sicolo.He was the owner and inspiration for the city's legendary 'TJs' The rock club gave Newport fame, excitement and musical chutzpah. It was TJs that won for Newport the title of New Seattle.   A generation of Newportonians relished the buzz of hearing top World groups on their own doorstep. They fondly remember TJs at its thrilling best, robust, loud and bursting with talent.After years of business and musical success, TJ's has recently been a sad shadow of its former self. I have spoken to John several times in the past few months. He was making strenuous efforts to restore TJs to its former glory. He also had strong views on planned new   government legislation for the entertainment industry.John was a former merchant navy seaman, where he served as a cook. He founded the club in 1971, first christening it El Sieco's before renaming it TJ's...