Hard rock guitarist Bernie Tormé, best known for his short stint in Ozzy Osbourne's band in the early 1980s, died on Sunday (March 17) at age 66.
The Irish guitarist's official website confirmed the news of his passing and his family issued a statement on Monday (March 18), which read, "Bernie Tormé passed away peacefully on the 17th March 2019, one day short of his 67th birthday, surrounded by his family. He had been on life support for the past four weeks at a London hospital following post-flu complications. Bernie will be remembered for dedicating his life to his music for five decades. He will be sorely missed."
Tormé's death was also confirmed by his drummer, Mike Gaffney, who wrote, "I am absolutely numb. Got the news this morning that Bernie Torme has died. It's been a thrill playing drums for him for the past couple of years. He was loud, passionate, didn't suffer fools but he was always a true gentleman. He produced one of my old band's demos back in the '80's, and told me off for using a china cymbal ('Not very rock n roll you' he said) but I used it anyway... I will miss our arguments about Irish whiskey vs Scottish whisky, I will miss him calling me a c**t, I will miss seeing that sparkle in his eye when he strapped his guitar on... RIP Bernie. We we all miss you..."