Scottish musician Alan Rankine has died at the age of 64.
Alan was best known as a keyboardist and guitarist with the eighties band The Associates, before he started working in production alongside bands like Biffy Clyro.
His sons Hamish and Callum shared the news in a Facebook post earlier today, but the cause of death is not known at this stage.
Their post read: "It is with great sadness that my brother, Hamish and I announce the passing of our father Alan Rankine.
"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 Facebook community meant a lot to our dad so we’d like to keep this account live and we invite you to celebrate his life on this page.”
The star was born in Stirlingshire and began his career with The Associates, with whom he helped record three albums.
He left the band in 1982 and went onto establish himself as a producer, working with various artists in the 80s before he took time out to help budding musicians.
Alan worked at Stow College as a lecturer and helped launch the college's in-house record label that launched the careers of the likes of Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro.
Punters paid tribute online to his tremendous legacy.
One said: "His record, Party Fears Two, is one of the best to ever come out of Scotland. It is a tremendous legacy for any musician. I never tire of it."
Another commented: "A massive, massive loss. A man who absolutely shaped my music tasted forever with the wonderfully sublime, operatic, wall of noise."
Someone added: "Terrible heart breaking news that dear Alan Rankine has passed away at 63. His work with Billy McKenzie as The Associates is incredible to behold."
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