Legendary Horslips guitarist Johnny Fean has died

Shock and sadness barely describe the news today that one of Ireland's top guitarists has passed away.

Horslips guitarist, Johnny Fean was a guitar virtuoso and innovator. He played all the major venues around Donegal in the 1970s when the band wewast their height including Bundoran, Donegal Town, Ballybofey, Letterkenny, Carndonagh and many more. His guitar playing was renowned for helping to innovate the 'Celtic-rock' genre throughout their original run of touring.

In fact, most of their debut album, Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part was written and tested when Johnny and the band based themselves at a cottage near Sessiagh Lake, Dunfanaghy.

In a statement this afternoon the band's website broke the news.

"Horslips are deeply saddened to annouce the passing of band member Johnny Fean, who died this morning at his home in Shannon.

"For well over 50 years Johnny was our best friend, our creative collaborator, our guitar hero. Johnny wasn't only one of the greatest guitar players ever, he was also the sweetest man in rock and roll. His immeasurable talent won him, countless supporters, throughout the years. We remain his biggest fans. He devoted his life to music and we'll be forever thankful that he did.

"The band wishes to express their heartfelt condolences to Johnny's wife Maggie, brothers Ray, Donal, Shearie, sisters Gail and Corna and all the extended Fean clan.

"Johnny will be sorely missed."

Over the years Johnny many friends during his visits to Donegal either with Hosslips, the new band he formed in 1980 Zen Alligators, or during visits to various venues as a solo artist including the Rory Gallagher Festival.

The band regained the rights to their entire catalogue following protracted legal wranglings and after remastering them rereleased their original albums. They got together for the History of Horslips exhibition in Derry in 2004 and this proved the catalyst for more band activities and events including the Roll Back album, a live appearance on the Late Late Show, Other Voices and Ardán for TG4 as well as a few shows in various parts of the country including Ballysahnnon at the aforementioned Rory Gallagher festival in 2012 and later that year at McGrory's of Culdaff as part of the Inishowen Guitar Festival.

The band also made several trips due to demand abroad. They were still relevant and still popular.

Of course, the legendary live return shows in Belfast and Dublin in 2009 were warmly welcomed and proved, if proof were needed, that this band still had the hearts and minds of the Irish music-loving public, It spanned a live CD, Live at the O2 and a DVD The Road to the O2.

Several other gigs around the country over the last ten years or so including places like Clones and Drogheda saw Johnny perform to appreciative audiences.