Former The Kinks bassist Pete Quaife has died, aged 66.
The musician, who founded the group with school pals Ray and Dave Davies and drummer Mick Avory in 1962, passed away on Thursday (24Jun10). His cause of death is not yet known, although Quaife had been undergoing kidney dialysis since 1998 after suffering renal failure.
The bassist featured on The Kinks' early records, including the 1964 hit You Really Got Me, before briefly quitting in 1966 after a car accident left him unable to perform.
He rejoined the band but was permanently replaced by John Dalton in 1969.
Quaife last played with The Kinks in 1990 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
Frontman Ray Davies reportedly asked Quaife to rejoin the band to record new music in 2008 but he declined the offer, releasing a statement saying he was stepping out of the spotlight for good.
After leaving The Kinks, Quaife formed his own band Mapleoak, before quitting the industry to become a graphic artist and author.