Bernie Torme, Irish guitarist and sideman to rock heavyweights

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bernie Torme, who has died in London aged 66, may well be regarded as the last of the great British and Irish guitar heroes who once ruled rock music. If Torme’s band attracted little attention, many noted his dexterity on guitar and, in 1979, Ian Gillan, former singer of Deep Purple, asked Torme to join his band, Gillan. Torme also played on Gillan’s Glory Road, Future Shock and Double Trouble, all of which sold strongly, before leaving the band after a dispute over money. Once again leading his own band, Torme went on to release 10 solo albums over the next 36 years while playing on numerous other projects with noted British and American heavy-rock musicians.