Mick Slattery, the founder of Hawkwind, has reportedly died at the age of 77.
The band's official Facebook page confirmed the news.
They said, "We are sorry to share the sad news that our old friend, and Hawkwind founder member, Mick Slattery passed away peacefully at home yesterday, St Patrick's Day."
His bandmate Dave Brock also paid tribute by saying how he and Mick used to play in a band called Famous Cure in 1967, where they toured Holland and then formed Hawkwind two years later.
He reminisced about the times they were together, saying, "In the late 60s, we used to rehearse in my upstairs flat in Putney and also in the basement of Bob Kerr's music shop in Gwalior Road, playing loud music, much to the annoyance of our neighbors."
Mick Slattery died as a result of a brief sickness that was not further addressed.
He also left Hawkwind early in their career after performing on an early version of "Hurry on Sunset," which eventually featured on a 1996 edition of their first album, "Hawkwind."
Huw Lloyd-Langton succeeded Mick when he quit the band in 1969.
Hawkwind Music
Hawkwind is a British band noted for their space rock style and sci-fi-inspired lyrics.
Dave Brock, the vocalist and guitarist, started the band in 1969 with a lineup of musicians that included Nik Turner, Dik Mik Davies, Terry Ollis, and Mick Slattery.
In their early years, Hawkwind played frequently on the London underground music scene, swiftly gaining a following with their psychedelic and experimental sound. Their live performances were frequently accompanied by light shows, projections, and other visual effects, which became a trademark of their work.
Hawkwind's debut album, "Hawkwind," was released in 1970 and contained the band's signature song, "Hurry on Sunset."
The album was met with critical praise, and they immediately established themselves as one of the most inventive and influential bands of the day.
The band went on to create a run of popular albums over the next several years, including "In Search of Space" released in 1971, "Doremi Fasol Latido" released in 1972, and "Space Ritual" in 1973.
Despite their popularity, Hawkwind's lineup changed multiple times throughout the years, with Brock being the lone constant. They had a commercial slump in the late 1970s, but they continued to record albums and play into the 1980s and 1990s.
Hawkwind's contribution to the evolution of space rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal is well acknowledged.
The band's legacy can still be heard in the music of many current bands, and they remain an important and influential element of the British rock scene.
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