Herbie Flowers, the esteemed bassist known for his work with legends such as Lou Reed and David Bowie, has died at the age of 86. The announcement came from a family member via a heartfelt post on Facebook, expressing how the musician's impact extended beyond family, touching the lives of many through his prolific contributions to rock music. Flowers garnered fame particularly for the iconic bassline featured in Reed’s "Walk On The Wild Side," for which he received only £17 as a session fee, as well as lending his talents to David Essex’s hit, "Rock On."
A seasoned session musician, Flowers collaborated with a plethora of well-known artists throughout the 60s and 70s, including Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Cat Stevens. His tenure saw him as part of bands such as T. Rex, Blue Mink, and CCS, demonstrating an impressive versatility across various musical styles. Notably, his upright bass slide on "Walk On The Wild Side" became a defining element of Reed's sound, while his work was instrumental in other significant projects, such as Jeff Wayne's multi-million-selling "War Of The Worlds" album.
Rick Wakeman paid tribute to Flowers, emphasizing the depth of their collaboration over the years, stating they played on at least 50 records together. Other musicians, including Suede bassist Mat Osman and Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, also shared their condolences and admiration for his vast contributions to music.
Flowers had previously shared advice for aspiring musicians, advising them to avoid playing someone else's licks, learn to read music, and to indulge in listening to artists like Miles Davis. His legacy as a foundational figure in rock music is assured, as his innovative bass lines continue to resonate in the works of countless artists today.
For more on Herbie Flowers' life and contributions to music, visit Classic Rock.