Farewell to industry legend Don Arden, the "Al Capone of pop".

Don Arden's reputation may have been built on such infamous incidents as dangling fellow artist manager Robert Stigwood out of a building, but to some who closely worked with and knew him he is fondly remembered as a "lovable rogue" and "fantastic raconteur".

Arden, the svengali behind such acts as Gene Vincent, the Small Faces, ELO and Black Sabbath and father of Sharon Osbourne, passed away aged 81 on July 21 in a Los Angeles nursing home.

Osbourne herself was estranged from Arden for 20 years after she wrestled control of her husband Ozzy's career from him, only to be reunited in 2002 after he developed Alzheimer's disease.

In her own tribute to her father, she describes him as a "maverick, a pioneer, a visionary and a leader of men." "His name will be forever remembered in the chronicles of rock history. A husband, a father," the statement added.

Born in Manchester in 1926, Arden began his career in showbusiness at the tender age of 13, when he started performing as a singer and stand- up comic. After World War II, he returned to the stage for a few years, impersonating singers and film stars on the variety circuit.

He gave up performing in 1954 to become an agent, learning the ropes by organising Hebrew song contests, before becoming one of the first people to recognise that there was money to be made in rock `n' roll.

Arden launched his managerial career looking after Gene Vincent in the early Sixties and from there his acts included such artists as Elkie Brooks, the Small Faces, The Move, ELO, Wizzard, Lynsey De Paul and Black Sabbath.