Prolific hard rock guitarist Bernie Tormé has passed away. He was 66. Tormé cut his teeth playing with Ozzy Osbourne, Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan and Atomic Rooster. As well as pursuing his own solo projects.

Tormé’s death was confirmed by his family in a statement shared through Variety. Read the statement below:

“Bernie Tormé passed away peacefully on the 17th March 2019, one day short of his 67th birthday, surrounded by his family. He had been on life support for the past four weeks at a London hospital following post-flu complications. Bernie will be remembered for dedicating his life to his music for five decades. He will be sorely missed.”

Ozzy Osbourne has shared a memorial to the late guitarist on Twitter. “Bernie was a gentle soul with a heart of gold. He will be dearly missed,” he wrote.

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Tormé spent the majority of his career working alongside Gillan and on his solo projects.

Tormé began his career in music as a teenager. He toured with many bands before joining forces with former Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan in 1979. Tormé played the guitar on four of Gillan’s albums before leaving in 1981. He is perhaps best known for his work in Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1982. Tormé replaced guitarist Randy Rhoads after Rhoads passed away in a tragic plane crash. Osbourne has acknowledged that Tormé inspired him to keep performing after the accident.

“I cannot believe that Bernie Torme has passed,” wrote Ozzy Osbourne’s wife and manager Sharon. “Bernie helped out Ozzy and I at a time of great need and we will never ever forget that. Love and condolences to his family.”

Tormé released his last record Shadowland in December 2018. Stream it below.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Ozzy Osbourne “died twice” on the way to hospital. The rocker has spent the past few months in poor health, having been hospitalised for a staph infection, and complications from the flu.