Status Quo legend Alan Lancaster has died at the age of 72 after a battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
The iconic band's bassist and founding member died surrounded by his family at home in Sydney, Australia.
The tragic news of Lancaster's passing was confirmed by close friend Craig Bennett on Facebook at the request of his family.
In a statement, Bennett wrote: "I am heartbroken to announce the passing of Alan Lancaster, British born music royalty, guitar God and founding member of iconic band, Status Quo.
"Despite having MS and issues with his mobility, Alan participated in hugely successful reunion tours… He bravely played to thousands of adoring fans and loved being back with the band and his loyal Quo army.
"Vale to an absolute legend and one of the nicest people in rock and roll."
Born in Peckham, London, in 1949, Lancaster formed a band in 1962 with this school buddy, Francis Rossi.
Rossi became lead singer, and the pair recruited two more classmates to form a group named Scorpions – which would later be renamed Status Quo.
Lancaster released 15 albums with the band up until 1985, before reuniting with bandmates in 2013 for a UK tour, performing his final show as a member in 2014.
Status Quo bagged more than 60 Top 40 hits in the UK, and had 25 UK Top 10 albums.
They released more 100 singles including hit songs such as Down Down and Whatever You Want.
Fellow original member, guitarist Rick Parfitt, died in 2016 at the age of 68.
Lancaster leaves behind wife Dayle Lancaster, who he married in 1978, children Alan Jr and David as well as five grandchildren.
His widow Dayle said in a statement: "We are all heartbroken. Alan had a wonderful wit and a fabulously dry sense of humour. He was a devoted and adoring husband, father and grandfather. Family was always his focus."
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