Jimi Hendrix's bass player Noel Redding has died at the age of 57. Redding was bassist in the Jimi Hendrix Experience band from the time of the breakthrough album Are You Experienced until the band split shortly before Hendrix's death in 1970.
A stream of tributes flooded in after manager Ian Grant announced on his website that the star died on Sunday. He said Redding died at home in Ireland but did not give the circumstances of the death.
Grant wrote on the website: "Once more, I am sitting at my desk bringing sad news. Noel passed away."
The British musician, born on December 25 1945, formed one third of the Jimi Hendrix Experience along with drummer Mitch Mitchell and singer Hendrix.
His partner Deborah McNaughton spoke today of her shock at Redding's death.
In a statement on the Track Records website, she said: "Noel was an extremely gentle and gracious soul."
Jimi Hendrix's brother Leon said his heart went out to Noel's family and to Deborah. "I first met Noel during his days with The Experience and he was always a beautiful guy," Leon Hendrix said.
"The last time I saw Noel was when he joined us to celebrate Jimi's 60th birthday in Los Angeles last year. It was one of his last performances. We loved him and we'll miss him."
Earlier this year, Redding announced he wanted to sue Hendrix's company for more than £3m which he claimed to have lost in earnings.