Bass guitarist Herbie Flowers dies at 86

Herbie Flowers, the well-known British bass guitarist, has died at the age of 86. 

The news of his passing was announced, on Friday, by his niece, Lorraine Bassett, on Facebook.

Flowers is said to have passed away on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. The cause of death was not provided.

Flowers's family, in part, wrote, "Lorraine’s beloved uncle, Herbie Flowers, passed on yesterday."

Who was Herbie Flowers?

According to Deadline, Flowers, throughout his musical career - which lasted for decades - worked with many big-name performers, including David Bowie, Elton John, and Paul McCartney.

The outlet reports:

Throughout his decades-long career, the British musician most notably worked on tracks like Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” (the iconic bass line of which he originated and was later sampled by such artists as A Tribe Called Quest and Haim) and Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” He also contributed to Harry Nilsson's 1971 Nilsson Schmilsson (providing the bass line to “Jump Into the Fire”).

Flowers actually got his musical start in the Royal Air Force, where he played the tuba in their band. He served his country and played the tube for most of the 1950s. His musical career - particularly as a studio musician - really got going in the 1960s and 1970s.

The BBC reports, "Flowers played bass in pop group Blue Mink and rock band T. Rex, and is thought to have contributed to more than 500 hit albums by the end of the 1970s."

This is a huge contribution.

"We'll miss you . . . Rock On"

Flowers is likely most well known for the bass line for Lou Reed's Walk on the Wildside. 

BBC reports:

Flowers - who lived in Ditchling, East Sussex - later revealed in a 2005 interview with the BBC that he had come up with the idea for the bassline as he would be paid double as a session musician for playing two instruments.

According to Flowers's family, "Herbie’s musical contributions continued as he worked to involve children in music later in life."

"While we knew and loved him as Uncle Herbie, his musical contributions have likely touched your lives as well. He played bass on many of the songs from the golden age of rock," Flowers's family wrote.

It added, "Herbie played a huge role in Lorraine’s life as a substitute father. Herbie walked her down the aisle at our wedding. She loved him dearly. I was blessed to have known him. We’ll miss you Uncle Herbie! Rock on."