Guitarist Ian Bairnson has sadly passed away at the age of 69, after a battle of at least five years with dementia.
The musician was known for playing on Kate Bush’s 1978 hit Wuthering Heights and for being a member of rock bands The Alan Parsons Project and Pilots.
In a post shared by his wife, Leila, on Saturday, she confirmed that Ian died on Friday April 7.
Describing her battle with the syndrome as “long” and “difficult”, she dubbed her late husband the “sweetest” and “kindest”.
Sharing a photo with Ian on Instagram, Leila wrote: “It is with deep sadness and deep regret that I let you know that my beloved husband Ian Bairnson passed away on Friday April 7th.”
Tragic: Guitarist Ian Bairnson died this week aged 69 following a ‘difficult’ battle with dementia
Band Member: Ian was a member of Scottish rock band Pilots (pictured in 1975) and the Alan Parsons Project
“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.”
Continuing to thank healthcare professionals for their help, she added: ‘I would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Frimley Park Hospital, the managers and carers at Lynwood Care Home and our families and close friends for the love and support they have given us. during those difficult years of Ian’s long battle with dementia. ❤️’.
Originally from Lerwick, a town in the Shetland Islands in Scotland, the musician was a member of the Alan Parsons Project between 1975 and 1990.
Created by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, they were joined by guitarist Ian, arranger Andrew Powell, bassist/vocalist David Paton, drummer Stuart Elliott and vocalists Zenny Zakatek and Chris Rainbow.
Ian was also a member of Scottish rock band Pilots and boasted a very famous solo in Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights.
But despite the song’s popularity, he wasn’t exactly a fan of the famous solo – admitting in years to come that his distaste for it was purely “for guitarist reasons”.
Ian stopped performing in 2018, when it was announced he had been diagnosed with a “progressive neurological disease”.
Tough: In a post shared by his wife, Leila, on Saturday, she confirmed that Ian died on Friday April 7
Iconic song: While also boasting a very famous solo in Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights
In a statement posted to his Facebook page, it was revealed: “Ian’s family and I 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.
In his personal life, Ian was married to his wife Leila for what would have been 24 years in May, embarking on a relationship two years before their wedding.
The couple don’t appear to share any children, but have often shared photos with their beloved pets, dog Dolly and cat Poppy, on social media.
Family: The couple do not appear to share any children, but have often shared photos with their beloved pets, dog Dolly and cat Poppy, on social media