Simple Minds' drummer dies as Midge Ure shares emotional tribute

Simple Minds' drummer Kenny Hyslop has died at the age of 73. The news was announced by Ultravox star Midge Ure.

The 70-year-old paid tribute to his friend on social media, saying he was 'much loved'. It was not known how Hyslop died.

It has been reported that the musician had been ill for some time. Hyslop joined Ure's band Salvation in 1972 before becoming part of Simple Minds in 1981, replacing Brian McGee.

He performed with the group for a year. Ure wrote: "Just about to board the British Airways flight from JFK and heard my old friend/Slik/Simple Minds drummer Kenny Hyslop has passed away. He lived a lively life!

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"Huge condolences to his friends and family. He was much-loved." He featured on song 'Promised You a Miracle' and appeared in videos for the band's hits 'Sweat in Bullet' and 'Love Song'.

Fans of the Scot rushed to pay tribute to him on social media, Mirror reports. One wrote: "So sad, chatted to Kenny quite a bit online in the last few years met him over 40 years ago. One hell of a drummer! Fly straight Kenny."

Another said: "It doesn't seem fair, it only seemed that a month or so ago, I messaged him and he told me that his treatment was going well". A third posted: "Such very, very sad news. May he rest in eternal peace."

A fourth said: "Rest in peace, Kenny. Loved your drumming." Hyslop was born in Helensburgh in 1951 and spent most of his life working in the music industry in the UK and Canada.

Glasgow-based band Simple Minds became known for their string of hits including 'Don't You' and 'Alive And Kicking'. As well as Simple Minds, Hyslop performed with Set The Tone, The O'Clock Gang and the blues band Big George and the Business.

In his later years, he taught drumming at Carlton Studios in Glasgow, as well as producing new music, which he published through Myspace.