Alan Parsons Project Guitarist Ian Bairnson Passes Away at 69

Alan Parsons Project Guitarist Ian Bairnson Passes Away at 69 | Society Of Rock Videos

via FAZIL's Cover Channel / Youtube

Ian Bairnson, the guitarist of Alan Parsons and Kate Bush, has passed away at the age of 69.

On Friday, his wife Leila Bairnson wrote on social media about her husband’s passing. It reads:

“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.’”

She continued:

“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.

“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.”

Bairnson was born in 1953 in Lerwick in the Shetland Isles of Scotland. Before relocating to London, he became a session guitarist in Edinburgh during his teenage years. Later on, he joined ex-Bay City Rollers members David Paton and Billy Lyall in Pilot, who reached No. 1 with their debut single “January” in 1975.

The guitarist appeared on all 12 studio albums of Alan Parsons Project, from 1976’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination to 2014’s The Sicilian Defence. While Bairnson also contributed to Bush’s first four albums, including the solo on “Wuthering Heights.”

Throughout his career, Bairnson played on more than 100 albums, working with artists such as Mick Fleetwood, Sting, Jon Anderson and many more. In 2018, he was diagnosed with dementia and retired from making music.

In a 2018 interview, Bairnson was asked what advice he would give young and aspiring guitarists and he said:

“Practicing and trying to find their own style. I think you should first concentrate in the more technical approach, but never forgetting to put your emotions while you are playing. The music industry has changed a lot so it is difficult for me to suggest which way to go, but pursuing your dreams is the beginning.”

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