Man Who Signed U2 Dies After Cancer Battle

Rob Partridge, who gave U2 their first record deal, has died following a two-year battle with cancer.

Partridge signed the group to Island Records in 1980 and remained the group's publicist and a friend of frontman Bono.

His role as Head of Press meant Partridge was also responsible for such artists as Grace Jones, Bob Marley and Tom Waits.

As previously reported on Gigwise, U2 are currently completing their new album, which is due to be released in early Spring 2009.