It seems that all that we've been reporting on lately is sad news. Unfortunately, we're not done: the UK music world has lost two important figures over the weekend.

JEAN EAVIS, the wife of Michael, passed away from cancer over the weekend. The Eavis' are the founders and organizers of the Glastonbury Festival, whose 1999 date looms less than a month away. The Eavis' had previously stated that they would turn over control of the festival in the New Millenium -- there is no word yet whether the loss of Jean Eavis will alter this year's agenda.

ROB GRETTON, famed manager of Joy Division and New Order, succumbed to a heart attack on Saturday. Gretton was largely responsible for the glory days of Factory Records, working with bands like A Certain Ratio and Section 23, as well as managing Joy Div and New Order. Gretton was also at the forefront of last year's New Order reunion, having arranged the meeting which could still culminate in new material from the band before the end of the decade.

Both will be dearly missed, and Excellent Online extends our sympathies to the families and friends of both.