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Ian Gibbons dead: The Kinks pay tribute as band's keyboard player dies aged 67

The Kinks keyboardist Ian Gibbons has died at the age of 67.

Lead singer Ray Davies said Mr Gibbons passed away on August 1.

In a statement, the rock legend said: "To simply say Ian will be missed would be an understatement. My first thoughts are for his family and loved ones."

Bandmate Mick Avory said: "I’ve known and worked with Ian for 40 years and I shall always remember him as a good friend and great musician. I will miss him so much, especially as we were still working together.

“It’s so sad he had to go so quickly before anyone could say goodbye.”

Dave Davies said: "Apart from being a great professional, Ian always had a positive attitude to being on the road and recording.

“In the many years he worked with The Kinks, he added great colour and dimension to The Kinks’ music and he was a good friend.

“I’ll miss him greatly. Lots of love to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

The musician and keyboardist was in the iconic band from 1979 to 1996. Speaking about Ian and how he joined the band, Sir Ray told PA: "When he auditioned for the band, he only played a few chords before I knew he was the right guy to have on keyboard – he seemed to know the right voicing to musically slot in between the other members of the band. And with The Kinks that took some doing!"

"He was also was a brilliant accordion player and, apparently, a bit of a childhood prodigy on that instrument. In the studio, he would willingly try out the most random musical idea I would throw at him."

The frontman added: "On the road, he could always be guaranteed to give a smile of encouragement from his side of the stage and buy a round in the bar after the show so we could have a party in Ian’s noisy room

"Being in a band is like being in a family and today it is as though we have lost family member."