Bassist who played with Sir Elton John, David Bowie and Paul McCartney dies aged 86 as tributes pour in
A BASSIST who played with the likes of Sir Elton John, David Bowie and Paul McCartney has died aged 86.
Herbie Flowers’ death was confirmed on Facebook by close family members.
The iconic bass player collaborated with major pop stars, who have taken to social media to pay tribute.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Burgess said: “Farewell Herbie Flowers, he made the greats sound greater.”
Bowie’s estate also paid tribute to the star’s former collaborator, saying: “We are very sad to learn of the passing of Herbie Flowers in the last couple of days.
“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, who was born and raised in Isleworth in 1938, started his career in the 60s as a session musician playing for renowned producers such as Shel Talmy and Tony Visconti.
He later became a founding member of Blue Mink in 1969 and featured on their UK number three single, “Melting Pot”.
Following the group’s success, the bassist, whose real name is Brian Keith Flowers, began collaborating with the most influential artists of that decade.
In 1972, he featured on Reed’s innovative Transformer album and played a major role in the success of the single “Walk On The Wild Side” with his signature twinned bassline.
The savvy musician later revealed in a 2005 interview with the BBC that his idea for the bassline was because he knew she could be paid double as a session musician for playing two instruments.
His next major collab was on David Essex’s 1973 single, “Rock On”, which used a pioneering slapback effect to give the song its polyrhythmic backbeat.
He would also link up with Sir Elton John on the 1970s Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across The Water in 1971.
Herbie Flowers later joined the band, T Rex, shortly before Marc Bolan’s death.
He featured on their final album, 1977’s Dandy In The Underworld, and Bolan’s Marc TV show.
The bassist also founded the instrumental prog-rock band Sky, recording and performing with them on a whopping seven albums.