Trevor Bolder, the bassist in David Bowie’s iconic Spiders From Mars combo, has died aged 62 following a battle with cancer.
The Yorkshireman came up playing alongside Mick Ronson in R&B combo The Rats in the late 1970s, and became part of Bowie’s regular backing band in 1971, contributing to Hunky Dory (1971) The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972), Aladdin Sane (1973) and Pin Ups (1973). Bolder went on to join proto-metallers Uriah Heep in 1976, playing with the band up until early 2013. His musical CV also includes stints with Wishbone Ash and Cybernauts.
Update: David Bowie has paid tribute to Bolder on his official website, stating that “Trevor was a wonderful musician and a major inspiration for whichever band he was working with. But he was foremostly a tremendous guy, a great man”.
Uriah Heep have issued a heartfelt statement following Bolder’s death:
It is with great sadness that Uriah Heep announce the passing of our friend the amazing Trevor Bolder, who has passed away after his long fight with cancer. Trevor was an all-time great, one of the outstanding musicians of his generation, and one of the finest and most influential bass players that Britain ever produced. His long time membership of Uriah Heep brought the band’s music, and Trevor’s virtuosity and enthusiasm, to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world.
He joined the band in 1976 and, barring one short break, was a fixture until his ill health forced him to take a step back early this year. Prior to joining Heep he was a founder and ever-present member of David Bowie’s legendary Spiders from Mars band, performing on all of their key albums and at countless shows. He also performed with Wishbone Ash, Cybernauts and the Rats.
Tributes have come in from all sorts of quarters on Twitter:
Bernard Butler: we should all put on some Trevor Bolder on maximum volume this morning. And grow our sideburns.What band the Spiders were.
Geezer Butler: RIP to Trevor Bolder of Uriah Heep.
Brian May: Sadly R.I.P Trevor Bolder dead at 62 (Bassist with @Uriah_Heep
John Prescott: Trevor Bolder played on so many brilliant songs but I think this is my favourite! ;) …
The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars was given a plush 40th anniversary reissue in 2012. A remastered version of Aladdin Sane followed in April 2013. [via The Guardian]
