Farewell to Herbie Flowers

Herbie Flowers, one of the most popular bassist and session musicians on the British scene since the 1960s, has died at the age of 86.

Born in Isleworth, Middlesex, in 1938, Flowers – after serving in the RAF band as a tuba player from 1956, when he was conscripted at the age of 18 – consolidated his fame as a session musician in the 1960s, working for producers such as Shel Talmy, Mickie Most, Steve Rowland, Richard Perry, Gus Dudgeon and Tony Visconti.

Working as a backup musician in bands like CCS and T-Rex, it was thanks to Visconti that Flowers came into contact with David Bowie, with whom he collaborated on the recording of “Space Oddity” (1969) and “Diamond Dogs” (1974). Although by the end of the 70s his name was among the credits for over 500 songs that ended up at the top of the sales charts, his name remained inextricably linked to “Walk on the Wild Side” (taken from “Transformer” in 1972, produced by Bowie and Visconti themselves – in the photo the cover of the single), perhaps the best-known song – the only one to reach the top 20 in the American charts – of Lou Reed’s solo career, characterised by an unmistakable bass line that Flowers himself wrote:

“Although it has not been officially confirmed, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Herbie Flowers,” read a statement on Bowie’s official social media channels: “In addition to his incredible musical ability, Herbie was a good person and a lot of fun. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Visconti also declared himself “saddened” by Flowers’ passing, in a post published on his official Facebook account.

Other artists to have posted social tributes in his honour include Suede bassist Mat Osman and Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess.