David Bowie's Scot's guitarist Ricky Gardiner has died at the age of 73, leaving fans to pay tribute to his incredible career.
Ricky, who was also Iggy Pop's guitarist and wrote instrumental piece Auschwitz, had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for a number of years.
His daughter Annie confirmed his death on social media and said: "He was the best dad anyone could ask for. He taught me everything from using power tools, to a recording studio both analog and digital, to changing an air filter on a car engine (though I was awful at that), to playing bass guitar, musical improvisation, songwriting and production methods.
“He was kind, generous, thoughtful, insightful, patient, enthusiastic, a rebel, did not suffer fools, didn’t give a s – – t what people thought, loved a good chat, and loved his food!”
His son Tom fondly also paid tribute to his father's spirituality and the lengthy conversations they would have about the meaning of life.
Producer Tony Visconti hailed him as a “guitar genius” in an online tribute and Iggy Pop called Ricky "the nicest guy who ever played guitar".
Iggy wrote: "Dearest Ricky, lovely, lovely man, shirtless in your coveralls, nicest guy who ever played guitar. Thanks for the memories and the songs, rest eternal in peace.”
Ricky, who passed in his sleep on May 13, was invited by David Bowie to a chateau near Paris in 1977 to make the “Low” album before they moved to a Berlin recording studio to finish their piece.
His lead guitar could be heard on tracks including “Sound and Vision,” “Speed of Life” and “Always Crashing in the Same Car.”
In 1995 Ricky wrote an instrumental piece titled “Auschwitz,” which he said marked the 50th anniversary of the Nazi concentration camp’s liberation. According to the Guardian, he regarded that piece as his most important solo work.
He moved to Wales in later life and released a solo album in 2013.
One fan paid tribute saying: "David Bowie’s biographer David Buckley described The Passenger as being 'possessed with one of the greatest riffs of all time'. Thanks to Ricky Gardiner. RIP unsung genius."
Another remarked: "Who knew that an unknown Scotsman was responsible for Sound & Vision and The Passenger? Wow."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our weekly Showbiz newsletter here.
