Ian Bairnson dead: Kate Bush & Alan Parsons Project guitarist dies aged 69 after ‘challenging’ fight against dementia
KATE Bush's guitarist Ian Bairnson has died aged just 69 following a "challenging" fight with dementia.
Ian, who had also been a part of The Alan Parsons Project, died yesterday, his heartbroken wife revealed.
The guitarist made a name for himself by performing on Kate Bush's 1978 hit Wuthering Heights.
In a post shared by his wife, Leila, today, she confirmed that Ian had died following a "long" and "challenging" battle with dementia.
Leila shared a photo to Instagram, writing: "It is with deep sadness and regret that I let you know that my loving husband Ian Bairnson has passed away on Friday 7th April.
"Ian was the sweetest, kindest, loving husband I could ever have wished for and I take comfort that he is resting now up there in his very own piece of 'Blue Blue Sky'.
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"Although Ian has left us, his musical legacy stays with us and will continue to delight and brighten our lives, as it did his, forever."
Ian came from Lerwick, a town in Scotland's Shetland Islands.
He made his mark on the music industry for a solo in Kate Bush's hit.
Despite the song's popularity, Ian apparently wasn't actually a fan of the famed solo.
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reported he admitted in years to come that his distaste for it was purely "guitarist reasons".
Ian also was also part of The Alan Parsons Project between 1975 and 1990.
In Leila's post, revealing her husband's death, she thanked medical professionals for their efforts.
She said: "I would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Frimley Park Hospital, the managers and carers at Lynwood Care Home and our families and close friends for the love and support they have provided us during these challenging years of Ian’s long battle with dementia."