Hawkwind legend Nik Turner has died aged 82, it has been confirmed.
Rumours of Turner’s passing started to flow into on social media earlier at the moment (Friday November 11), with a put up on his private Fb web page confirming the information at round 4pm GMT.
“We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nik Turner – The May Thunder Rider, who handed away peacefully at dwelling on Thursday night,” reads the put up. “He has moved onto the subsequent part of his Cosmic Journey, guided by the love of his household, mates and followers. Watch this house for his preparations.”
Turner joined Hawkwind of their formative days again in 1969, taking part in saxophone and flute for the London-based house rock legends throughout two stints with the band, first from 1969-1976 and as soon as once more from 1982-1984. Turner additionally wrote and co-wrote a few of Hawkwind’s most enduring songs from their early years, together with hallmark Hawkwind composition Grasp of the Universe, launched on 1971 album In Search Of House, and Brainstorm, the opening observe from 1972’s Doremi Fasol Latido album.
Initially recruited as highway supervisor for Dave Brock and Mick Slattery’s embryonic model of Hawkwind (not least as a result of he was the proprietor of a van they may use), Turner’s distinctive, freewheeling type of saxophone taking part in and love of expressionist music noticed him welcomed into the band itself.
A pivotal member of the UK Counter Tradition via the ’60s into the ’90s, Turner additionally performed on the first ever Glastonbury Competition in 1970 – erecting a pyramid stage that grew to become the inspiration for the present principal stage – and in 1977 he visited the true factor, recording within the King’s Chamber of the Nice Pyramid Of Giza whereas holidaying in Egypt.
“I bought a taxi to the pyramid and climbed up it,” he informed Basic Rock. “All these outdated Arabs with outdated muskets have been attempting to cease me and get cash, however I simply kind of bypassed them, made my solution to the highest, sat down and performed my flute.” The recordings later shaped the idea of 1978’s Xitintoday album, launched by Nik Turner’s Sphinx.
Turner additionally collaborated with science fiction creator Michael Moorcock, graphic designer genius Barney Bubbles and fellow Hawkwind alumni Robert Calvert, and recorded with dozens of others together with Sham 69, The Stranglers and Sting. He was name-checked by Jimi Hendrix throughout his set on the 1970 Isle of Wight Competition and performed a solo sax eulogy at Lemmy’s funeral in 2016.
No reason behind demise has been introduced.
