Red Hot Chili Peppers bass player Flea has been among those paying tribute to Andy Gill after the Gang Of Four guitarist died during the weekend.
Gill’s passing at the age of 64 was announced on February 1st after what was described as a ‘short respiratory illness’. “This is so hard for us to write, but our great friend and Supreme Leader has died today,” a statement from the band said.
“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.”
Messages were left by various entertainment figures, from Tom Morello and Mike Mills to director Edgar Wright and comedian Frankie Boyle. Flea, meanwhile, described Gill as ‘one of his favourite guitar players of all time’.