Musician credited with playing on hundreds of hit records has died

Herbie Flowers died this past week, and if you don’t know who that is, a quick Google shows he was a standout musician with a pretty stellar record.

A talented player of the bass guitar, Flowers’ Wikipedia page claims he played on more than “500 hit recordings” before the 1970s ended.

That might seem like a big number, but the list of artists the 86-year-old played alongside is impressive.

That bunch includes David Bowie, Elton John and Paul McCartney. He also played on Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” per Deadline.

Flowers’ family announced his death on Facebook.

“While we knew and loved him as Uncle Herbie, his musical contributions likely touched your lives as well,” the post read. “He played bass on many of the songs from the golden age of rock.

“As a studio musician in London in the 60s and 70s he got to know and contribute to the music of Elton John, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Mark Bolin, Cat Stevens, Harry Nilsson, Al Kooper, Melanie and many other popular musicians,” the post continued. “He was also a member of T Rex, Blue Mink and Sky. Herbie’s most well-known contribution was likely the iconic bass line for Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wildside.” Not many of us get our own entry in Wikipedia did.”

It also noted that he worked to involve his children in his music later in life.

“We’ll miss you Uncle Herbie!” it closed. “Rock on.”