R.I.P Herbie Flowers, the renowned British bass guitarist who collaborated with legendary artists such as David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and Sir Elton John, has passed away at the age of 86.
Flowers was a huge figure in the music industry, playing bass for the pop group Blue Mink, the rock band T. Rex instrumental rock, classical, Jazz group Sky. By the late 1970s, he had contributed to over 500 hit albums. One of his most iconic achievements was creating the memorable bassline for Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” from the 1972 album Transformer. This line was heavily sampled by artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, SWV, Boyz N Da Hood and many more.
Born Brian Keith Flowers, his musical journey began in the 1950s during his nine years in the Royal Air Force, where he played the tuba. In 1969, Flowers co-founded the pop group Blue Mink, achieving chart success with hits like “Melting Pot” and “The Banner Man.”
Throughout the 1960s, Flowers built his reputation as a session bass guitarist, working with top producers like Shel Talmy, Steve Rowland, and Tony Visconti. His bass work can be heard on David Bowie’s 1969 self-titled album and 1974’s Diamond Dogs.
One of his standout contributions was the legendary bassline for Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” In a 2005 BBC interview, Flowers revealed he created the iconic bassline line to earn double pay by playing two parts as a session musician, inadvently creating one the most famous basslines of all time. He also played bass on Jeff Wayne’s musical version of ‘The War of the Worlds.’
In 1977, Flowers joined the final lineup of T. Rex just before Marc Bolan’s untimely death, featuring on the band’s last album, Dandy In The Underworld. He also performed on Bolan’s Marc TV show.
In the late 1970s, Flowers founded the instrumental progressive rock band Sky, recording and performing with them until 1995, releasing seven albums.
I recently got to sit down with Ken Scott and talk about Herbie’s incredible talent, very few Bass players have written lines like Herbie’s that just on their own are the basis of world class songs!
Following the news of his death, tributes poured in. David Essex said he was ‘forever grateful’ for one of Flowers’ most recognisable basslines featured on Essex’s 1973 glam single Rock On, which was double-tracked and used a slapback effect to give the song its polyrhythmic backbeat. The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess praised Flowers for “making the greats sound greater,” while David Bowie’s estate honored his contributions, saying, “His incredible musicianship and beautiful soul will be sorely missed.” Suede bassist Mat Osman added, “RIP Herbie Flowers. Imagine having played on ‘Space Oddity,’ ‘Walk on the Wild Side,’ and ‘Rock On’—so many great basslines.”
Rest In Peace Herbie, thank you for all the amazing music you helped create!
