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Former Wings guitarist Henry McCullough dies aged 72

Henry McCullough pictured at the launch of a new musical exhibition at Belfast's Oh Yeah Music Centre in 2009. Picture by Declan Roughan
Henry McCullough pictured at the launch of a new musical exhibition at Belfast's Oh Yeah Music Centre in 2009. Picture by Declan Roughan Henry McCullough pictured at the launch of a new musical exhibition at Belfast's Oh Yeah Music Centre in 2009. Picture by Declan Roughan

SIR Paul McCartney has paid a glowing tribute to his late Wings bandmate Henry McCullough.

The renowned guitarist, who also played with Joe Cocker and jammed with Jimi Hendrix, died on Tuesday, four years after a severe heart attack left him incapacitated.

McCullough (72) originally from Portstewart, Northern Ireland, was said to have been the only Irish musician to have played at the famous Woodstock festival in 1969.

And while he may not have been a household name, he counted Marianne Faithfull and The Who among those he jammed with.

He also played lead guitar on Wings' James Bond theme, Live And Let Die.

Perhaps best known for his solo on the band's number one hit My Love, Sir Paul gave a little insight into McCullough's enduring talent and originality.

"The solo he played on My Love was a classic that he made up on the spot in front of a live orchestra. Our deepest sympathies from my family to his," he said.

Also paying tribute was Van Morrison who said the talented guitarist would be "remembered for his long and productive career in music,"

McCullough suffered a severe heart attack four years ago and never fully recovered.

Belfast-based music promoter and agent Nigel Martyn spoke to the guitarist's French wife following his death.

"I have just spoken to Henry's wife Josie who has informed me that Henry passed away at home within the last two hours," he said yesterday afternoon.

"Josie said the she has 'lost her one true love'."

Described as a man who had pioneered a new musical genre, he travelled the world playing with rock legends and some of the biggest names in music, including Pink Floyd, Marianne Faithfull and Dr Feelgood.

He played with Joe Cocker at the legendary Woodstock concert in 1969, the only Irish artist to perform there.

In the 1970s, McCartney asked McCullough to join his post-Beatles band Wings following a number of jamming sessions with the famous Liverpool singer.

McCullough spent 18 months touring and recording with Wings, playing lead guitar on the James Bond theme 'Live and Let Die', but he is perhaps best known for his solo on the band's number one hit My Love.

He also sang and wrote music but one of the renowned guitarist's more memorable contributions to music was a few choice words for Pink Floyd.

His spoken words "I don't know; I was really drunk at the time" can be heard on the Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon at the end of the song Money.

McCullough also played on the music for Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

He continued to release solo albums and play shows throughout Europe and played one of his last live performances in a small rock club in Draperstown, Co Derry a year before suffering a heart attack.

A concert was held in Dublin in 2012, featuring artists such as Christy Moore, Declan Sinnott and Mick Flannery, to pay for his ongoing care.

Tributes were paid to the Portstewart guitarist last night with American drummer Denny Seiwell, a founding member of Paul McCartney's band Wings, among those to describe his sadness.

"My dear friend and brother Henry McCullough passed away," he wrote.

"His battle is over. Keep his wife Josie in your thoughts, he will be missed."

Singer and musician Van Morrison said he was "very sorry" to hear about McCullough's death.

"I know he had some difficult times recently, but he will be remembered for his long and productive career in music," he said.

"My thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."

Broadcaster Ralph McLean ?also said "a true Irish rock legend gone".

"From Wings to Woodstock he flew the flag. Top man".

Stuart Bailie, broadcaster and a founding member of the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast, said McCullough had "gone to meet Hank Williams. Such a man".