Herbie Flowers, bassist on Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side, dies aged 86

Herbie Flowers was also a founding member of Blue Mink, founded the prog rock band Sky and was said to have recorded more than 20,000 sessions. Photograph: Steve Catlin/Redferns

Tributes have been paid after the death of Herbie Flowers, the session musician whose instantly recognisable bassline on Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side is considered one of the greatest in pop music history.

Flowers, who also played bass for David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry and Elton John, has died aged 86, family members confirmed on Facebook.