URIAH Heep star Ken Hensley has died "suddenly" aged 75.
The English singer-songwriter passed away with wife Monica at his side on Wednesday.
He was working on a solo album at the time of his tragic death.
His heartbroken brother said: "I am writing this with a heavy heart to let you know that my brother Ken Hensley passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening.
"His beautiful wife Monica was at his side and comforted Ken in his last few minutes with us.
"We are all devastated by this tragic and incredibly unexpected loss and ask that you please give us some space and time to come to terms with it.
"Ken has gone but he will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts."
Ken co-wrote and sang on the majority of rock band Uriah Heep's hits in the 1970s – including Lady in Black, Easy Livin' and Stealin'.
He was born in Plumstead, South East London, and began playing guitar aged 12 – with his first gig just three years later.
Ken joined band Uriah Heep – then known as Spice – as a keyboard player in 1969.
His death comes just months after the band's drummer Lee Kerslake died following a battle with prostate cancer.
Ken had paid tribute to his former bandmate at the time, saying: "It's with the heaviest of hearts that I share with you that Lee Kerslake, my friend of 55 years and the best drummer I ever played with, lost his battle with cancer at 3.30 this morning," Hensley wrote in a statement to Louder.
"He died peacefully, praise the Lord, but he will be terribly missed.
"I know many of you were praying for him not to suffer and I thank you for that and, now that Lee is at peace, our thoughts and prayers should turn to his wife Sue who will need all the support she can get at this time."
Source: Read Full Article