Bandmate's tribute to tragic friend

THE former bandmate and schoolfriend of tragic blues musician Nick Johnson has paid tribute to him.

Gary Lithgow founded Bluefinger with the 48-year-old, who died in a motorcycling accident in Spain two days before Christmas.

Mr Lithgow said the two had been in bands together in Edinburgh since school, and praised the father-of-one's musical ability and personality.

"I have been playing guitar now for 35 years, but you would have to be at your very best to come close to Nick on any night," he said.

"He was a naturally gifted and intuitive rock 'n' roll player. I remember asking him about things he did on guitar at a gig or even just practising, and he would just laugh and say he didn't really know - he just played what sounded right.

"He phoned me not so long ago, and I meant to call him back but never got round to it - this will haunt me for a long time. Whatever he did, or was into, be it guitar playing or calligraphy - or a study of Arthurian legend - he did it with great passion and enthusiasm. A lot of memories have come flooding back."