Herbie Flowers dies aged 86: Tributes to legendary bassist who played with Bolan, Bowie, McCartney, Elton… and gave Lou Reeds Walk On The Wild Side its unforgettable twang
British bass guitarist legend Herbie Flowers, who played with some of the worlds biggest music icons including David Bowie, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Marc Bolan, has died aged 86, as heartfelt tributes have been paid to the beautiful soul.
British bass guitarist legend Herbie Flowers, who played with some of the worlds biggest music icons including David Bowie, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Marc Bolan, has died aged 86, as heartfelt tributes have been paid to the beautiful soul.
Born Brian Keith Flowers, but known as Herbie throughout his career, Flowers grew up in Isleworth, Middlesex before moving to Ditchling, East Sussex and was a member of the bands Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky.
He also contributed his talents on hundreds of recordings and was also credited for creating the famous bass line in Lou Reeds Walk on the Wild Side from his album Transformer in 1972, lending the song its unforgettable twang.
It was the only song by Reed to reach the Top 20 in the US.
The news of Flowers death on Thursday was confirmed by close family members on social media.
British bass guitarist legend Herbie Flowers, who played with some of the worlds biggest music icons including David Bowie, Elton John , Paul McCartney and Marc Bolan, has died aged 86. Pictured: Flowers in 1976
Flowers appears in the background as he plays alongside legends David Bowie and Marc Bolan
Flowers was musically gifted and had a talent for the double bass, as well as the tuba and electric bass. Pictured: Flowers in 2015 at the Brighton Fringe
Kevin J Conklin, husband of Flowers niece, Lorraine Bassett, paid tribute to him and said he was blessed to have known him.
On a post appearing on Facebook on Friday, he wrote: Lorraines beloved uncle, 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.
As a studio musician in London in the 60s and 70s he got to know and contribute to the music of Elton John, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Mark Bolin, Cat Stevens, Harry Nilsson, Al Kooper, Melanie and many other popular musicians.
He was also a member of T Rex, Blue Mink and Sky.
Herbies most well known musical contribution was likely the iconic bass line for Lou Reeds Walk on the Wildside.
Not many of us get our own entry in Wikipedia as Herbie did.
Herbies musical contributions continued as he worked to involve children in music later in life.
Herbie played a huge role in Lorraines life as a substitute father. Herbie walked her down the aisle at our wedding.
She loved him dearly. I was blessed to have known him.
Well miss you Uncle Herbie! Rock on.
Herbie (left) with members of the British pop group Mink in 1973
The news of Flowers death aged 86 on Thursday was confirmed by close family members on social media
A Facebook tribute appearing on Sunday on the official David Bowie page highlighted Flowers incredible musicianship over many decades and said he would be sorely missed.
An accompanying black-and-white photograph shows Flowers in the background smiling as he played alongside legends Bowie and Marc Bolan.
The statement read: Though we’ve not managed to have it officially confirmed, if the news is correct, we are very sad to learn of the passing of Herbie Flowers in the last couple of days.
Herbie in the recording studio with singer Scott Walker in the 1960s
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.
Flowers first foray into music began in 1956 aged 18 after he was conscripted into the Royal Air Force, where he played the tuba as a bandsman for nine years.
He later took up double bass as a second instrument and later moved to electric bass.
After completing his military service, he played with a host of Dixieland jazz bands in the early 1960s and for a time worked as a bandsman on the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth.
By the end of the decade, Flowers was working as a session player for record producers such as Shel Talmy, Mickie Most, Steve Rowland, Richard Perry, Gus Dudgeon and Tony Visconti.
In 1969, Flowers was a founding member of the group Blue Mink, playing on their song Melting Pot, which reached Number 3 in the UK Singles Chart and early heavy rock band Rumplestiltskin.
He was also a member of CCS and T. Rex, along with Dino Dines.
In 1979, he became a co-founder of the band Sky which had success in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Herbie Flowers plays alongside late jazz vocalist Tina May in 2015
Flowers also tried his hand at composing, coming up with the surprise chart hit Grandad for Clive Dunn in 1970.
Throughout his career he played with the biggest names and contributed to recordings by Elton John, David Bowie, Lou Reed, David Essex, Bryan Ferry, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, among others.
He also played bass on Jeff Waynes musical version of The War of the Worlds.
Towards the latter part of his life, Flowers enjoyed playing jazz and worked as a bass guitar teacher at Ardingly College in West Sussex.
Flowers was also at the forefront of a number of local community initiatives, including founding two community choirs, Shoreham Singers-by-Sea and the Ditchling Singers.
