‘Golden age of rock’ star dies aged 86, family reveal


Bass guitarist Herbie Flowers, who played with David Bowie, Elton John, Lou Reed and other music legends in a decades-long career, has died at 86.

The musician’s family confirmed his death on Facebook Saturday.

Flowers was a founding member of the pop group Blue Mink, who later joined the rock band T Rex.

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The Blue Mink pop group including Roger Cook, Madeline Bell and bass player Herbie Flowers, second right. (AP)

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He won acclaim for his work with many of the biggest names in UK music in the 1970s, giving Reed’s Walk On The Wild Sidefrom the 1972 Transformers album, its recognizable twinned bassline.

He also played bass for Bowie’s Space OddityBryan Ferry’s The Bride Stripped Bareand Paul McCartney’s Give My Regards To Broad Streetand featured in two of John’s early ’70s albums, among many others.

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In a tribute, Bowie’s estate said “his work with Bowie and associates over the years is too long to list here.”

“Aside from his incredible musicianship over many decades, he was a beautiful soul and a very funny man. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” it said.

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Herbie Flowers, John Williams, Steve Gray, Kevin Peek, Tristan Fry.
Flowers created the band Sky in the late ’70s, releasing seven albums. (Ariola Records)

Tim Burgess, lead singer for The Charlatans singer, said on the social media platform

Flowers’ family shared the news in Facebook “Herbie Flowers, passed on yesterday.

“While we knew and loved him as Uncle Herbie, his musical contributions have likely touched your lives as well. He played bass on many of the songs from the golden age of rock. We’ll miss you Uncle Herbie! Rock on.”

Flowers also founded the instrumental rock band Sky in the late 1970s, releasing seven albums.

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