Mick Green, lead guitarist for The Pirates, diedВ on MondayВ (January 11) at age 65.
Green’s death was revealed on the guitarist’s website by his son, Brad.
No cause of death was given, but Green spent time in hospital last year with a suspected kidney problem. He also had a history of heart attacks – including one suffered on stage while on tour with Bryan Ferry in 1993.
Green joined his schoolfriends, bassist Johnny Spence and drummer Frank Farley, in The Pirates in 1962, just after the band scored a huge hit with Shakin’ All Over with Joe Moretti on lead guitar.
Green’s ability to play lead and rhythm guitar simultaneously influenced a number of British guitarists, including Pete Townshend of The Who.
More recently, Green appeared on Sir Paul McCartney’s 1999 album Run Devil Run and Van Morrison’s 2008 album Keep It Simple.