Welsh singer/ bassist and leader of Budgie, Burke Shelley, has died at the age of 71.
The news was posted on Facebook by his daughter Ela.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my father, John Burke Shelley. He passed away this evening in his sleep at Heath Hospital in Cardiff, his birth town. He was 71 years old. Please respect the family during this time.
“With love, His four children: Ela, Osian, Dimitri and Nathaniel.”
Budgie were formed in Cardiff in 1967 by Shelley, Tony Bourge (guitar) and Ray Phillips (drums). With this composition they recorded some of their best albums, such as the self-titled 1971, “Squawk” of 1972 and “Never Turn Your Back On A Friend” a year later.
Metallica’s covers of “Crash Course In Brain Surgery” and “Breadfan” as well as Iron Maiden’s version of “I Can’t See My Feelings” played an important role in their recognition.
