British bassist Herbie Flowers died on Saturday (September 7) at the age of 86, according to a social media post from his family. No cause of death was disclosed. Flowers was a celebrated session musician who was also a member of the final lineup of T. Rex as well as a founding member of the group Blue Mink, whose 1969 debut single, “Melting Pot,” was a No. 3 hit on the UK Singles Chart. Flowers is perhaps best known for playing the instantly recognizable bassline on Lou Reed’s 1973 Top 20 hit, “Walk on the Wild Side,” as well as playing bass on David Bowie’s 1969 Top 15 hit, “Space Oddity.”
He also played on Bowie’s classic 1974 album, Diamond Dogs, and joined his live band for the North American tour in support of the record. Flowers played on recordings by three Beatles — Paul McCartney’s “Give My Regards to Broad Street,” Ringo Starr’s “Stop and Smell the Roses” and three of George Harrison’s albums — as well as working with Nilsson, Bryan Ferry, Cat Stevens, and many more. According to the BBC, Flowers was estimated to have played on more than 500 hit albums by the end of the 1970s. (Variety)