Manager of Pet Shop Boys Dies in a Car Crash in Moscow
Dainton Connell
MOSCOW - Friday, October 5, 2007, early morning -- Dainton Connell, manager of the famous British band the Pet Shop Boys, died in a car crash on the Moscow River Embankment (Embankment of Taras Shevchenko). Mr. Connell was in a car with Anton Antonov, owner of a famous elite "invitation-only" Moscow club "Roof of the World". Thursday night, Chris Lowe, member of the famous duo, was celebrating his birthday at the Sky Lounge Restaurant. Mr. Antonov and Mr. Lowe met several years ago in St. Petersburg and became very good friends.
After the birthday party, Mr. Antonov wanted to show his night club to Dainton Connell. Mr. Antonov's BMW 525 was going 100 miles an hour when he lost control of the car on a wet road, and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The impact was of such force that after the car took out the tree, the vehicle demolished a cast-iron railing and plunged into the river. Moscow Transportation officials were working near the site of the accident, and together with police, ambulance crew and a team of divers, they retrieved the car from the river relatively fast. However, it was too late -- the driver and the passenger were dead. The police records mention two victims: "a 20 y.o. Russian citizen from St. Petersburg and an Afro-American, approximately 40 y.o." update: According to the medical records, the deaths were instant and were caused by the first impact of the vehicle with the tree.
The Pet Shop Boys have sold more than 50 million records worldwide and are best known for their remake of the Soviet anthem "Go West" and other hits such as "West End Girls", "Always on My Mind", "It's a Sin", etc.
Russia Blog expresses deepest sympathy to the band's relatives, friends and fans.
"Thank you to everybody who has posted comment about my dad. It is with great regret and sadness that I Tiffany Connell the Bear's first born, thats what he called me. My family and I are devastated by the loss of such a terrific man. Daddy, I miss you so much, we all do love you see you in heaven." Tiffany.
Please, visit the extended post to watch band's music videos and read the band's reaction to the tragedy.
Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant are "devastated" by this tragic news. They had known Dainton for almost 20 years. "Dainton was a warm, kind, loveable friend, a huge Arsenal fan and a larger-than-life character, famous in North London and beyond. We are devastated by his sudden and tragic death and our thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Mandy, and their family."Dainton (also known as "The Bear") accompanied Pet Shop Boys on their tours from 1989 to 2000. He can be seen in the videos for Pet Shop Boys' singles, "Jealousy", "So Hard" and "Was It Worth It?" as well as in the Somewhere concert film. We know that he was a familiar and friendly face to many PSB fans who encountered him over the years and that they will share in our grief and sorrow. Those who met him will never forget him.
update:
Dear Commenters, editors of the Russia Blog, who have enjoyed PSB music and videos for years just like you, are touched by your sincere and overwhelming response. We are going to send a sympathy card with all your caring comments and wishes to Dainton's family. Our thoughts are with them. When leaving a comment, please remember that all comments are individually reviewed and it might take up to several hours before your comment appears on the webpage. If you don't see your comment right away, just come back later to see it posted.
Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant
Go West
Always On My Mind
It's a Sin
West End Girls
GUTTED when i got the news about the bear meet him years ago alongside pete now 2 great freinds are together last saw him at the mobo awards about 4 years ago always a gentleman my thoughts now go too his family
Goodnight,God Bless.
RIP THE BEAR.
Dain is and always will be alive in my heart. he was taken too soon ,he is the best uncle in the world you could ask for. I will miss him everyday. love you lots Dain.xxxx It will be hard without you. as he would call us not niece but niecees(pet)love you so much!! my heart is hurting.
Dear Dainton
Many souls in the world had been hurt this morning with your sudden departure...but we all know that you were a special person and will rest in many people's hearts.You are in a better place taking care of everything as you always did...Thank you!
Today there is a new shiny star in the sky and its name is "The Bear"
My condolences to his family and friends...I hope you can heal the pain and remember that he is up there in heaven and in many good memories.Be strong I'm sure that's how he wants you to be.
Dainton rest in peace.
Lorena from Argentina
God Bless you doll and your family. You will be missed.
no way..just cant believe it so so so sad to see a great man pass away...god look after him.psb 4ever..kip xx
ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET OR WORKED WITH. HAVING BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE KNOWN BEAR FOR 20 YEARS AND ONLY HAVING SPOKE TO HIM LAST WEEK, I CAN TRUELY SAY IM GUTTED..... ALL I CAN SAY ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND ROSS IS THAT HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS YOU MATE RIP.
YOUR FAMOUS CATCHPHRASE THAT WILL BE ALWAYS BE SHOUTED LOUD IN YOUR HONOR .....................WOOORAAA WHATS APPENING!!!!!!
LOVE YOU BROTHER. SEE YOU ON THE OTHERSIDE..
I know you are in a better place, god bless your family now.
Respect from all of the Herd , you will be sorely missed and you WERE and STILL ARE an Arsenal LEGEND.
The bears in the house , ere they are.
RIP
God Bless Denton - Sleep tight . We're gonna miss ya loads !
You were great and you will be missed so much, thanks for all the great moments you give to all the psb fans, thanks to you we meet them and a nice and big bear who always was there to help annd listen to us.
I was shocked by the news.
Being a PSB fan for many years i was lucky to meet Dainton in 1998 - he was really charming, nice and kind to us, "small fans".
Thank you, dear Dainton, for all your work and kindness.
Rest in peace.
God, please, take care of his family, just as he took care of PSB throughout all theese years.
We will miss you, Dainton.
Helen.
My deepest sympathies are with Dainton's family and friends, including Neil and Chris. I never met The Bear, but his great reputation preceded him. A very sad loss and a tragic end, I am so sorry. Dainton, RIP. Clare.
Dainton - we will miss you terribly. You were a kind, gentle soul and you had a personality that everyone loved. Keep living on in heaven where you will no doubt continue to watch over your family and PSB too.
im a family friend of the big bear known him all my life so sad
Worked across the road from me on Oxford Street, saw him every time I was in.
One of the good guys, a sad loss.
My thoughts go out to his family.
Miss you lot
R.I.P
SPANNER
XXXX
No words can express the extreme sadness I feel for his family and friends.
Rest in peace, Dainton.
My condolences for the family and friends.
God bless Dainton and your family.
Dear Friend. No,I can`t believe,that you`re gone. I know you`re hearing us, and you should know, we never forget about You. We`ll be remember you. God blessed you.
Sleep peacefully.
Members of the PSB chilean forum "Integral" express its condolences to the family and friends of mr. Connell.
God bless you all...
God bless mate.
I know you will be making em laugh up there.
RIP
Love to Mandy, Tiff, lindsey & all your family.
X
D,
From the very first day we met outside the North bank 26 yrs ago, I knew you were special, and I am very proud to have known you. You have always been a great friend and I'm devestated by this loss.
God Bless Mandy, Derek, and girls.x
Ali, Michelle, Charlie and Girls
I was shocked when I heard these awful news... And still I am shocked...I never met Dainton but I have to say I always wanted to meet him one day...
Just want to send my warmest and deepest condolences to Dainton's family and friends, God Bless you all and Dainton! Dear Dainton, you and your smile will always be kept in my heart...
As I do live in Moscow today I will go and bring some flowers and candles to the place where the tragedy has happened...
also gonna be sadly missed at arsenal, some amazing comments here
http://www.wearetheherd.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5430
R.I.P Dear Dainton. I'll always remember you dancing at the Savoy.
I was so shocked by the news I had to shut down the pc and think for a while. I never had the chance to meet him, but as said on Pet Shop Boys' official site, he was known and loved by all Petheads who have heard how kind he was.
May he rest in peace and his family and friends remember him always and honour his memory.
My deep condolences;
Claudia BastÃas (aka Margalit)
Chile.
Not sure what to say!!
A big character with a big heart and memorable laugh!
Never fogotten...
Love to all the family and thinking of you greatly at this time
Kelly
Dainton, you were a legend.
Condolences to your friends and family. May you rest in peace.
D
YOU WERE ONE IN MILLION I',M GLAD I WAS PART OF YOUR LIFE, DID WE HAVE SOME GREAT TIMES.
LUV TO MANDY, DERICK, PAT & THE GIRLS & ALL THE FAMILY.
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART
LEE MEAD
I think it's a sad loss and he will be remembered.
D
known you for near 20 years now and you will always be a legend in our eyes, you'll be sadly missed .
R.I.P "D"
"A" BLOCK BOYS
I knew Dainton from The Arsenal many moons ago. A fun guy.
RIP Big Man
We will you live forever in our hearts and mind, dear big Bear. We will never forget you.
I hope that your family and you friends can find strenght and consolation in this terrible circumstance.
RIP Dainton.
remember you for being you xxx
R.I.P. Dainton.
You will be missed by us all.
God Bless
XXXX
To my friend daiton when i meet you 30 years ago you where my hero and you are today my hero i've loved you all my life, the times we had in the eighties were the best days any friend could have, ill be there for mandy and your girls, see you in heaven god bless bryn the munster
"D"
You where the only one that called me by my old nick name "Buttons" (that you gave me, why?) when we used to all run together Highgate Wood, HNRS, Little Maffia and Gooners. We have all moved on since then and i hope you have moved on to a better place! God Bless Mr ARSENAL "The BEAR!
"E-I-E"
Buckers
Mandy, Del and family both myself and Anne are thinking of you at this sad time.
Dear Commenters,
Editors of the Russia Blog, who have enjoyed PSB music and videos for years just like you, are touched by your sincere and overwhelming response. We are going to send a sympathy card with all your caring comments and wishes to Dainton’s family. Our thoughts are with them.
Yuri Mamchur and Charles Ganske
Real Russia Project
Discovery Institute
Seattle, WA
Anton
My thoughts are with you my friend, the time we spent together was unforgettable and the club you built was amazing. You will always be in my heart and be my friend.
Sheriff
MET YOU JUST ONCEDAINTON AND YOU SPOKE VERY KIND WORDS TO MY FAMILY THE WORLD HAS LOST A GOOD GUY YESTERDAY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILYTHE HAZARDS
CONDOLENCES FROM THE HAZARD FAMILY
MET YOU JUST ONCE AND YOU MADE A LASTING IMPRESSION THE WORLD HAS LOST A GOOD GUY ARE THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DAINTON FROM THAT LOT FROM SUNDERLAND THE HAZARDS
Good grief... I work too much, I never heard of this gentleman... My condolences go out to his family.
But @ the Russia Blog they are posts and comments about police or government officials driving and creating accidents and killing people...
To this, I would say Western countries are no different than CIS. Their are so many tragedies in all countries, so many good people that are lost...
But, driving 100 miles an hour, this is too much... Thank goodness nobody no pedestrians were hurt.
I never heard of Mr. Connell but it looks like many people @ RB have been saddened by this loss.
Everyone in every country needs to drive carefully, and this is yet another example that Russia has become a member of the world as a place that has the same issues and problems as the west.
My condolences also go out to the driver and his family. But 100 miles per hour seems a little excessive, even if this was Diana in France.
RIP
what can i say D you are one of the greatest men i have ever met and i am honoured to have been your friend,legends live on and you will always have a special place in my heart,you are Mr ARSENAL, EIE THE BEARS IN THE BIG HOUSE NOW>
D was the best and most respected man that walked this earth, the world will be a very sad place without him. Love to Mandy and the girls
Jane the Gooner xxxx
D, what can I say. You will be so grestly missed. I am just so pleased that I saw you only a few months ago at Ade's party where we had a dance and a cuddle. Love you lots and my thoughts are with Mandy, Tiff and Linz. RIP. Love Selina Nagle x x x
One of the originals, larger than life. As Arsenal as Herbert Chapman. God bless ya D. Ralph
Rest in peace, Dainton.
Members of the PSB Italian forum express their condolences to his family and to his friends.
shocked to hear this, i have known you for twenty five years and had so many laughs in the eighties and beyond pleasure to have known you never forgotten.