After Sky and War Of The Worlds bassist Herbie Flowers died over the weekend at 86, Rick Wakeman led the music world's condolences.
Flowers bet Bowie he couldn't smuggle the stylophone into a song, so Wakeman played it on Space Oddity in 1969.
Wakeman was "gutted" to hear of the passing of Flowers."We probably made 50 records together and toured with Sky in Australia. A great bassist, musician, gentleman, and humorous man."
Flowers, who appeared on Space Oddity and Diamond Dogs, was also honored by David Bowie's heirs, noting, "His collaborations with Bowie and collaborators are too numerous to name.
He was a beautiful person and a witty man in addition to his decades-long musical talent. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with the family.
Flowers was a founder member of late 60s/early 70s pop outfit Blue Mink, CCS, with blues icon Alexis Korner, and T-Rex's last lineup.
He collaborated with Camel, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
He wrote the novelty song Grandad, made popular by Dad's Army singer Clive Dunn, and played bass on Lou Reed's 1972 song Walk On The Wild Side and David Essex's 1973 hit Rock On.