Paul McCartney and Van Morrison have paid tribute to Henry McCullough, the Northern Irish guitar great who played with Wings, Pink Floyd and Joe Cocker and who died on Tuesday, aged 72, after a long illness.
McCartney, who often described Henry as his "right hand man", said he was "very sad" on hearing the news and added: "He was a pleasure to work with, a super talented musician with a lovely sense of humour. The solo he played on My Love was a classic that he made up on the spot in front of a live orchestra. Our deepest sympathies from my family to his."
My Love was No 1 hit in the US for Wings and as well as playing on some of their biggest hits, McCullough toured with the band throughout the early 1970s.
Van Morrison also paid tribute to McCullough, saying: "I know he had some difficult times recently, but he will be remembered for his long and productive career in music. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."
McCullough was from Portstewart in Co Derry and during his long career, he supported Jimi Hendrix and was said to be the only Irish man to play the legendary Woodstock Festival in upstate New York in 1969 when he joined Joe Cocker on stage.
His agent Nigel Martyn confirmed McCullough's passing. Henry's long-time French partner Josie said he had died on Tuesday morning.
Writing on his Facebook page Martyn said; "I have just spoken to Josie who has informed me that Henry passed away at home this morning. Josie said that she has lost her one true love. We would ask everyone to respect the families privacy at this time."
McCullough suffered a severe heart attack four years ago and never fully recovered. He and Josie had been living for several years in Ballywindelland, between Coleraine and Ballymoney in Co Antrim, in a home they fondly referred to as "Ballywonderland".
Henry (right) pictured with Wings
RIP uncle #henrymccullough, a gentleman and amazing guitarist. xx pic.twitter.com/51QCflWlTg
— minkthemoo (@minkthemoo) June 14, 2016
As well as touring with his own band, Henry also played with Irish acts The Fleadh Cowboys and Sweeney's Men. He supported Marianne Faithfull and Dr Feelgood and provided spoken word vocals on the song Money from Pink Floyd's 1973 epochal album Dark Side of The Moon. He also played on the multi-million selling album Jesus Christ Superstar.
Paul McCartney pictured with his "right hand man" Henry McCullough
He played lead guitar on Wings' 1973 James Bond theme Live and Let Die, but he is perhaps best known for his solo on the band's number one hit My Love.
Elsewhere, his lead guitar on stage with Joe Cocker and The Grease Band on day three of Woodstock is the stuff of legend. They put on an electrifying performance of The Beatles' hit With a Little Help from My Friends.
In 2013 a concert was organised in Dublin's Vicar Street venue to help raise funds for Henry's medical care.
Christy Moore, Declan Sinnott, Mick Flannery, John Spillane and Honor Heffernan were among the acts who played the show, which was organised by Pete Cummins of Fleadh Cowboys and ex-Pogues manager Frank Murray.
To mark the sad passing of #HenryMcCullough, here's the great man in action from @RTEArchiveshttps://t.co/4tzsSf7FBi
— RTÉ TEN (@RTE_TEN) June 14, 2016
On St Patrick's Day last year, a benefit concert for McCullough was also held at The Half Moon venue in London featuring Paul Carrack, Nick Lowe, Andy Fairweather Low, and Suggs of Madness.
The guitarist played one of his last live performances in a small rock club in Draperstown, Co Derry a year before suffering the 2012 heart attack which left him incapacitated.
Mr Martyn said: "He had suffered severe brain damage and was left completely incapacitated for the last four years.
"But Josie has been incredible - the way she looked after him was absolutely out of this world."
