Kate Bush guitarist Ian Bairnson has died aged 69 after a long and “difficult” battle with dementia.
Kate Bush guitarist Ian Bairnson has died aged 69 after a long and ‘difficult’ battle with dementia
The musician, who was also part of the Alan Parsons Project and performed on Kate’s 1978 classic ‘Wuthering Heights’, died on Friday (07.04.23), his devastated wife revealed in a post online.
Leila Bairnson – who was reportedly married to Ian 24 in May – said on Instagram alongside a photo of her putting her arm around Ian: “It is with deep sadness and regret that I make you know that my beloved husband Ian Bairnson passed away on Friday April 7th.
“Ian was the sweetest, kindest and most loving husband I could have wished for and I am reassured that he is now resting up there in his own piece of ‘Blue Blue Sky’.
“Although Ian has left us, his musical legacy remains with us and will continue to delight and brighten our lives, as it did his, forever.”
Thanking the doctors who cared for her husband: ‘I would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Frimley Park Hospital, the managers and caregivers at Lynwood Care Home and our families and close friends for the love and the support they have given us during these difficult times. years of Ian’s long battle with dementia.
Ian, who was born in the town of Lerwick in the Shetland Islands of Scotland, was part of the Alan Parsons Project between 1975 and 1990.
The guitarist stopped performing in 2018 after it was announced he had been diagnosed with a “progressive neurological disease”.
A statement posted on his Facebook page read: “I and Ian’s family would like to let you know that he was diagnosed some time ago with a progressive neurological condition which is affecting his communication skills.
“As a result, he will not perform in public in the future, although he continues to play guitar and piano daily for his own enjoyment.
“We would like to thank you for your loyal support over the years and assure you that he is otherwise in very good health and receiving good care.”
Ian and Leila got married two years after they met, and the couple don’t appear to have any children, but have often shared photos online with their pets, dog Dolly and cat Poppy.