I was a customer at Route 66 in Greville Street in 1983 and remember Ross well. He was handsome and urbane and friendly. There was as girl in the store named Lucy as well, as I recall. Fond memories. Vale Ross.

In 1972 I was working in a record store in London. Being young ripping off records seemed usual. Any way I collected over 80 LP's (blues and roots) and posted them back to Ross. This was the beginning of his collection. For both of us music was our world, still is. I was 20, he was 16. One day he was driving a VW back from visiting relatives, car laden with his LP's. The hot ash of a cigarette fell down the front of his tee shirt and in his mad panic to stop the burn he lost control and flipped the car. Our mum, June was with him and fortunately neither was injured. Not so his record collection. June recounts how later she found him on the back step of the flat smashing his broken records into bits, overwhelmed by the tragedy of losing such a large part of it. It was more than passion, records were integral to his very being, his identity. When I was 17 and Ross 13 we convinced our Mum to buy us our first record player. I had already saved enough money to buy a John Mayall Blues Explosion record but had nothing to play it on. We unpacked it, set it up, put the record on and were just amazed at the sound. By twisting the knob we could get different parts of the music out of each speaker. Hallelujah! we now had Stereo, that was the beginning!!! Through Rte 66 and touring the Leroi's and Tailgators we both fulfilled the promise that music offered us from a young age. I can't believe he's gone....

My name is Tim Bell, Ross took me in at the original Greville st store when I was in my early 20s (20 years ago), I lucked out the day I went into his store slightly malnourished and pissed off that my mum needed to buy me jeans. I was unemployed and living on bacon sandwiches, jim beam and joints. For some reason I asked for a job, the girl behind the counter, Nerida, flashed back that actually they were looking for some one. Grizzly Ross rocks up and gives me the once over and offers to give me a chance. What I learnt form that place and Ross are still with me today, Muddy Waters, Issac Hayes, the Supremes, japanese denim , hot rods, vintage threads, very very loud music and the freedom to be able to tell a customer to F off if they ever asked us to turn the music down. We were never allowed to play ‘white music’ because Ross saw it as a bunch of fakes. He walked in one day and I was playing the new 'stone roses’ album. I froze. he glared at me and said ”what the F is this” I murmured ...the stone roses. “this is great, i like it, let it play out ” 2 tracks later Al Green was back on…. . Ross was an international man a well read smart, funny intellectual with a whip smart mind, a rebel trail blazer who carved his own path and did it his way. He taught me allot about life & nearly killed me a few times as well (literally). Although I hadn’t seen Ross for years (we have been living abroad) I ran into him on the street a few years ago with my young family and we had a hug. He was wearing the most incredible vintage horsehide leather jacket and a smile from ear to ear. God bless. I’ll tell my grandkids about this guy. A class act who saved me from bacon sandwiches,white music and conforming to the line. R.I.P Roscoe Love Tim

Hey Ross ~ I haven't seen you for a few years so very saddened to hear you've gone ~ I will always remember you ~ memories from the Hardware Club days, Royal Derby days, and other nights a bit hazy ~ but you were always a man of style and distinction and the world was a better place having you in it. Will always think of you when putting on my rhinestone earings ~ Linda K xx

thanks for being the best dad you treated me like an adult, love you forever

Period , it was an honor to have known you and spent some time listening to you!! There was only one Roscoe. Thank you for 'that' nite we sat up drinking the Red and listening to you play from your soul ! Rest in Peace my Friend my friend

A mover and a shaker, someone who helped make Melbourne a good place to be in. RIP Ross, sadly missed x

Proud to know the King of Melbourne, rest in Rock and Roll and your great vinyl collection in the sky. Say hi to Townes..... Love Canada and your Cinnamon Girl xo

You were a gentleman and a true friend. Thankyou for the many fun nights and many great records. We are all worse off without you. Our thoughts are with Ginger as well as your boys. We'll miss you but never forget you.. Cheers to you Roscoe. Sticko and Paula

Ross was rock n roll down to a t. A very generous man, always time for a chat, beer. I was lucky enough to be involved with The Rev instore in Melb, and the staff there over the yrs (especially Sarah and Matt), were really chilled, cool peeps, and loved the shop and what they were wearing. Another shock for the year, but you lived your life to the full..I will never forget that cheeky smile of yours. You're free now....much love and respect Rach xx

Ross was rock n roll down to a t. A very generous man, always time for a chat, beer. I was lucky enough to be involved with The Rev instore in Melb, and the staff there over the yrs (especially Sarah and Matt), were really chilled, cool peeps, and loved the shop and what they were wearing. Another shock for the year, but you lived your life to the full..I will never forget that cheeky smile of yours. You're free now....much love and respect Rach xx

Ross was rock n roll down to a t. A very generous man, always time for a chat, beer. I was lucky enough to be involved with The Rev instore in Melb, and the staff there over the yrs (especially Sarah and Matt), were really chilled, cool peeps, and loved the shop and what they were wearing. Another shock for the year, but you lived your life to the full..I will never forget that cheeky smile of yours. You're free now....much love and respect Rach xx

always were and will always be the Boss of Greville Street! the coolest cat on the block and always a true gentleman.. Cheers, Costas

Always were and will always be the BOSS of Greville Street! a true gentleman. Cheers, Costas

Well I guess I know the answer to that question - are you every going to finish that car. You knew how to live. Time to take it easy. Cheers and thanks Ian