Music

‘Walk on the Wild Side’ - Herbie Flowers, bassist on Lou Reed’s dies aged 86

The session musician whose instantly recognisable bassline on Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side is considered one of the greatest in pop music history.

Flowers, who also played bass for David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry and Elton John, T-Rex, has died aged 86, family members confirmed on Facebook.

Flowers is said to have recorded more than 20,000 sessions, including for Dusty Springfield, George Harrison, Serge Gainsbourg and David Essex.

Kevin J Conklin, the husband of Flowers’ niece, Lorraine Bassett, paid tribute on Facebook, saying: “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 … We’ll miss you Uncle Herbie! Rock on.”