( CNN ) -- Tributes are pouring in from the entertainment world for Claude Nobs , the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival , who has died aged 76 following a skiing accident . The death was announced on the official website of the jazz festival `` a few days after your accident in Caux-sur-Montreux , in your beloved mountains , overlooking the lake that you were so fond of . '' Nobs , who had been in a coma since December 24 after a fall , died in hospital in Lausanne on Thursday , Swiss media reported . He co-founded the jazz festival in the small Swiss town in 1967 with then-president of Atlantic Records Nesuhi Erteguen . The festival was originally staged at the Montreux casino , but in 1971 a fire broke out while Frank Zappa was performing . Deep Purple immortalized the event the following year in their global hit `` Smoke on the Water . '' The song referred to Nobs , who saved many people in the blaze , as `` Funky Claude . '' Since then the Montreux Jazz Festival has attracted many music legends , including Miles Davis , Ray Charles , David Bowie and Prince . Following news of his death , several stars took to Twitter to pay tribute . American musician Nile Rodgers , co-founder of 1970s funk band Chic , wrote : `` Claude Nobs , CEO Montreux Jazz RIP - Proud to have been with you at your last Festival . Forever , Nile & CHIC . '' Fellow funk legend George Clinton added : `` We are # thankfulfor friend Claude Nobs . Rest in Power . He made Montreux Jazz Festival festival amazing . # PFUNK ... '' And Brian May , guitarist of rock band Queen , wrote on his Facebook page : `` We mourn the sudden and tragic loss of Claude Nobs , the father of the Montreux Jazz Festival , and a long-standing dear friend . We salute his unparalleled contribution to Blues , Jazz and Rock culture in Europe , and will miss him greatly . `` Our deepest sympathies to his family and those near and dear to Claude . '' The official festival website also added its condolences : `` You always had a sparkle in your eyes whenever you dealt with people . For all of us , who were fortunate enough to cross your path , you will always remain the one who questioned certainties . Â « And , why not ? Â » You would repeatedly ask the same question when we tried to explain why a project would not be feasible . Reality was never challenged only your wildest dreams . The Montreux Jazz Festival is the ultimate proof of that ! But not the only one ! `` Your audacity resonates in each one of us , a strong sense of generosity and sharing . Thank you for taking us where we never thought we could go . And in your typical spirit , you left by surprise as if to remind us once more , that in life as in music , each great performance could be the last one even if the show must go on . You hoped for an exit that reflected your life , you succeeded this as well . We carry , and will continue to carry on in your spirit everything you taught us . '' People we 've lost in 2013 : The lives they lived .
Claude Nobs , the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival , dies after an accident . Michel , who had been in a coma after a fall , died in hospital in Lausanne - Swiss media . Nobs co - founded jazz festival in small Swiss town in 1967 . Tributes pour in from Chic star Nile Rodgers , George Clinton and Queen singer Brian May .