Two weeks ago, Malta’s music community lost Stephen Borg, founding member of Purple Haze and, despite being only 43, one of the local rock scene’s veteran musicians.

Borg formed the hard rock band Purple Haze back in the 1980s, enjoying several years of popularity – including a support slot for Deep Purple in 1998 – before the band spilt up around 2003, only to make a comeback five years later.

In 2010, the band underwent a further line-up change, with Borg being the only remaining original member.

A regular face on the local live circuit for more than three decades, Borg will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of sharing his musical journey, but especially by those who had the privilege of knowing him not only as a musician, but also as a friend, and especially his family, to which he was so dedicated.