March 10, 2004 7:30

SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES GUITAR HERO DIES

John McGeoch passes away in his sleep aged 48...

SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES and MAGAZINE guitarist JOHN McGEOCH has died in his sleep at the age of 48.

The punk veteran was also famous for his work with Sex Pistol John Lydon's [a][/a].

Steven Severin, bass player for the Banshees, said in a statement on his website: "I was shocked and saddened to hear that John passed away in his sleep last Thursday. Although we hadn't worked together for a long time and I hadn't seen him for a couple of years he was always in my heart and often in my thoughts."

He added: "Without doubt the most inventive guitarist of our generation and my favourite Banshee. Love to all his friends and family. Bye John."

According to press reports, McGeoch qualified as a nurse in 1995 after giving up performing. However, he continued to work on music for television.

Born in Greenock, Scotland in 1955, the guitarist moved to Los Angeles in 1986 only to return to the UK in the Nineties.

His distinctive guitar playing and sound can be heard on such Siouxsie And The Banshees hits as 'Happy House', 'Spellbound' and 'Christine'.