Nick Webb, jazz musician and composer, 43/44 (pancreatic cancer) 24 February Geoffrey Bush, organist and composer, 77 Henny Youngman, British-born American comedian and violinist, 91 13 March – Judge Dread, ska and reggae performer, 52, (heart attack on stage) 20 March – Ivor Slaney, composer, 76 5 April – Cozy Powell, rock drummer, 50 (car crash) 17 April – Linda McCartney, US-born wife of Paul McCartney, businesswoman and member of Wings, 56 (breast cancer) 29 April – Harry Lewis, musician and composer, 83 19 May – Edwin Astley, composer, 76 3 July – George Lloyd, composer, 85 4 September – Lal Waterson, folk singer-songwriter, 55 (cancer) 25 October – Dick Higgins, composer, poet, printer and artist, 60 (heart attack) 4 December – John Hanson, Canadian-born tenor and West End star, 66 7 December – John Addison, film composer, 78 8 December – Michael Craze, actor and singer, 56 (heart attack) 21 December Avril Coleridge-Taylor, pianist, conductor, and composer, 95 Karl Denver, Scottish singer, 67 Music awards BRIT Awards The 1998 BRIT Awards winners were: Best British producer: The Verve, Chris Potter and Youth Best selling British album act: Spice Girls Best soundtrack: "The Full Monty" British album: The Verve – "Urban Hymns" British breakthrough act: Stereophonics British dance act: The Prodigy British female solo artist: Shola Ama British Group: The Verve British male solo artist: Finley Quaye British single: All Saints – "Never Ever" British Video: All Saints – "Never Ever" Freddie Mercury award: Sir Elton John International breakthrough act: Eels International female: Björk International group: U2 International male: Jon Bon Jovi Outstanding contribution: Fleetwood Mac Mercury Music Prize – Gomez, Bring It On. The Record of the Year – Boyzone – "No Matter What". See also 1998 in British radio 1998 in British television 1998 in the United Kingdom List of British films of 1998 References External links BBC Radio 1's Chart Show The Official Charts Company British music British music by year 20th century in music