Andy Gill, the guitarist with Gang of Four,the band who were hugely influential on the post-punk scene, has died at the age of 64.
No cause of death has yet been revealed.
Gill's band-mates have made it known through social media that the musician had recently been listening to mixes for the band's upcoming record. He was also planning their next tour.
"This is so hard for us to write, but our great friend and supreme leader has died today," ran the poignant message.
"Andy's final tour in November was the only way he was ever really going to bow out; with a Stratocaster around his neck, screaming with feedback and deafening the front row.
"His uncompromising artistic vision and commitment to the cause meant that he was still listening to mixes for the upcoming record, whilst planning the next tour from his hospital bed."
The remaining band members also paid tribute to the musician, declaring him to be "one of the best to ever do it … we'll remember him for his kindness and generosity, his fearsome intelligence, bad jokes, mad stories and endless cups of Darjeeling tea. He just so happened to be a bit of a genius too."
Musicians, friends and contemporaries have been paying tribute to Gill on social media, including Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and the singer Gary Numan, who described Gill as a "unique talent".
In 2019, Gang Of Four undertook a mammoth 40th anniversary world tour, which took in Japan, Greece, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
"This pain is the price of extraordinary joy, almost three decades with the best man in the world," tweeted Catherine Mayer, Gill's wife.
This pain is the price of extraordinary joy, almost three decades with the best man in the world. https://t.co/otsiVqxK36
— Catherine Mayer (@catherine_mayer) February 1, 2020
Gill also produced and was sought after by bands for his keen ear and musical vision and worked on albums by Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Stranglers.
