The Boomtown Rats guitarist Garry Roberts has died, the band have announced.
In a statement on the band's social media, the group said it was ‘with great grief’ that they had to announce the passing of Roberts, who was the founding member of the band.
The remaining members said: “It is with very great grief that the members of The Boomtown Rats announce the death this morning of Garry Roberts, their friend and guitarist.
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“The remaining members of the band, Pete, Bob and Simon, extend their deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
“On a clear Spring evening in 1975, in a pub in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Garry became THE founding member of what turned out to be a great rock’n'roll band, driven largely by that sound of his, a storm of massive considered noise that punched out from his overtaxed amplifiers; and which animated not just the rest of the group but audiences he played to around the world."
“For fans he was The Legend - and he was. For us he was Gazzer, the guy who summed up the sense of who The Rats are."
“We have known Garry since we were children and so we feel strangely adrift without him tonight.
“Safe travels Gaz.
“Thanks for everything mate."
The message is signed by remaining members Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette and Simon Crowe.
Hundreds of tributes have flooded in for the late musician, with one saying: "What an absolute legend - an essential part of the Rats' sound which I fell in love with as an eight year old kid & I still love today. Deepest condolences to you all. RIP Garry."
Another said: "Such sad news. Thinking of you all and shedding a tear myself for the loss of a great gentleman."
"Such sad news! RIP Garry!! Still got a signed fan club letter from 1978/9! Glad I saw the Rats reformation in Bournemouth around 2013 with my daughter! Condolences!!," a third said.
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