A bass player who contributed to three of Elton’s albums died on Thursday.
Herbie Flowers was 86. No cause of death was given.
Originally named Brian Keith Flowers, he started out as a tuba bandsman in the Royal Air Force. He was later a Blue Mink founding member and went on to join T. Rex.
Herbie also worked with David Bowie, David Essex, Bryan Ferry, Lou Reed, and three of the Beatles: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
In Elton’s case, Herbie appeared on Tumbleweed Connection‘s Come Down in Time, Burn Down The Mission, and Country Comfort; Madman Across the Water‘s title track, Indian Sunset, and Rotten Peaches; and on A Single Man‘s Shooting Star.
In a Guitar World interview a couple of years ago, Herbie shared his advice for young musicians. He said it’s important to learn to read music and to avoid playing irrelevant bits of music or ”somebody else’s lick.”
The jazz aficionado also recommended a bit of Miles Davis music.
