A musician who played with the likes of Sir Elton John, David Bowie and Paul McCartney has died aged 86. Herbie Flowers' death was confirmed on Facebook by close family members. Tributes from family and friends said Flowers was a "beautiful soul" and his musical contributions had touched many lives.

Flowers played bass in pop group Blue Mink and rock band T. Rex, and is thought to have contributed to more than 500 hit albums by the end of the 1970s. The guitarist was credited with creating the famous bassline in Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side from his 1972 album Transformer.

After previously playing alongside music legend David Bowie, a gushing tribute from Bowie's estate was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter , after the news of his death broke. Flowers played bass guitar on David Bowie’s self-titled 1969 album and Diamond Dogs in 1974. "We are very sad to learn of the passing of Herbie Flowers in the last couple of days.

His work with Bowie and associates over the years is too long to list here. Aside from his incredible musicianship over many decades, he was a beautiful soul and a very funny man. He will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends," the post read. The Charlatans' singer Tim Burgess led the tributes, saying Flowers "made the greats sound greater". Meanwhile, Suede bass player Mat Osman also joined in with tributes, external, saying: "RIP Herbie Flowers.

So many great basslines - imagine having played on Space Oddity, Walk on the W.