The The lead singer pays tribute to former Stratford pub landlord father Eddie Johnson following his death

A young Eddie Johnson (Image: Archant)

His son Matt Johnson, founder of band The The, said in a statement posted on the group’s Facebook page that Eddie – landlord at the Stratford Broadway watering hole from 1962 until 2000 – passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning.

Matt wrote in tribute to his dad: “Anyone who knew our dad will know what a wonderful man he was. A big man in more ways than one, he was well read, funny, charming, loyal, brave, a brilliant storyteller and a man with a deep sense of social justice.”

Describing him as a family man, Matt added: “It has been a privilege to be his son. I loved him very, very much and his loss to our family is incalculable.”

Matt explained how “lesser people” who suffered the “heavy blows” his dad had might have become embittered, but it had the reverse effect.

Eddie and Shirley Johnson pictured behind the bar at the Two Puddings on their first day. (Image: Archant)

“Despite losing two sons, a wife, and suffering numerous other hardships that life threw at him, he just grew and grew as a human being and in the intensity of his warmth, kindness and empathy,” the statement read.

The singer-songwriter posted the comment while on the way to Stockholm for a concert, part of the band’s comeback tour which started last month.

Matt revealed his dad had made him and brother Gerard promise that if anything happened to him they would carry on and “make him proud”.

In his book Tales from the Two Puddings published six years ago, Eddie – who retired to Long Melford in Suffolk – talked fondly of Stratford.

Eddie Johnson's memories of life at theTwo Puddings are contained in Tales From The Two Puddings. (Image: Archant)

He and wife Shirley took on the pub when it was known as the most notorious in the area. It was dubbed the ‘Butcher’s Shop’ because of its white tiles and the amount of blood spilt. However, it soon became one of the busiest drawing actors, writers, singers and musicians including Rod Stewart and David Essex.

A regular contributor, just last month Mr Eddie had a letter published in the Recorder which defended Windrush generation members, describing the “huge contribution” they made.

Eddie Johnson signs copies of his book. Pic: MATT JOHNSON (Image: Matt Johnson (son) - submitted)

Stills from a Tales of the Two Puddings documentary. (Image: Archant)

Stills from Tales of the Two Puddings documentary. Pic: ROB WEST (Image: Archant)

The Two Puddings pub in its hey-day. Pic: STEVE LEWIS (Image: Copyright Steve Lewius)