Scottish producer and founding member of the Associates, Alan Rankine has died peacefully at home aged 64.
His sons Callum and Hamish Rankine announced the 64-year-old’s death on Tuesday, January 3 and wrote: “He died peacefully at home shortly after spending Christmas with his family.
"He was a beautiful, kind and loving man who will be sorely missed.”
The star was born in Bridge of Allan and began his career with the cabaret band Caspian, which would become the Associates with singer Billy Mackenzie.
Together they recorded three albums: The Affectionate Punch (1980), the singles compilation Fourth Drawer Down (1981) and Sulk (1982).
Rankine left the band in 1982 and went on to establish himself as a producer, working with artists such as Paul Haig and the Cocteau Twins.
In 1986, he embarked on a solo career recording three albums on independent Belgian record label Les Disques du Crépuscule.
The label paid tribute to Rankine describing him as a “writer, musician and producer extraordinaire, and in The Associates one half of the finest pop band of the 1980s”.
Rankine lectured at Stow College in Glasgow where he helped students set up their own record label, Electric Honey, which went on to launch the careers of bands such as Belle and Sebastian, Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro.
Others to pay tribute to Rankine include BMX Bandits singer Duglas T Stewart, who tweeted: “Very sad news today that Alan Rankine has died.
"I first became aware of Alan through The Associates and later got to know him a little. Sending love to his family and all who loved him.”
Scottish journalist John Dingwall added: “Very sad to hear the news that my dear friend Alan Rankine of The Associates has died.
"We lived around the corner from each other and had planned to meet for a coffee. RIP Alan Rankine, a beautiful soul, and condolences to all his family.”
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