Kate Bush and Alan Parsons Project guitarist Ian Bairnson dies aged 69 following a ‘challenging’ battle with dementia

• The musician was known for performing on Kate Bush ‘s 1978 hit Wuthering Heights and being a member of rock bands The Alan Parsons Project and Pilots 

Guitarist Ian Bairnson has sadly died at aged 69, following a battle of at least five-years with dementia.

The musician was known for performing on Kate Bush’s 1978 hit Wuthering Heights and being a member of rock bands The Alan Parsons Project and Pilots. 

In a post shared by his wife, Leila, on Saturday, she confirmed that Ian had passed away on Friday, April 7.

Describing his battle with the syndrome as ‘long’ and ‘challenging’, she dubbed her late husband the ‘sweetest’ and ‘kindest’.

Sharing a picture with Ian to Instagram, Leila wrote: ‘It is with deep sadness and regret that I let you know that my loving husband Ian Bairnson has passed away on Friday 7th April.’

Tragic: Guitarist Ian Bairnson has died this week at aged 69 following a ‘challenging’ battle with dementia

Band member: Ian was a member of Scottish rock band Pilots (pictured in 1975) and The Alan Parsons Project

‘Ian was the sweetest, kindest, loving husband I could ever have wished for and I take comfort that he is resting now up there in his very own piece of “Blue Blue Sky”.

‘Although Ian has left us, his musical legacy stays with us and will continue to delight and brighten our lives, as it did his, forever.’

Continuing to thank medical professionals for their help, she added: ‘I would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Frimley Park Hospital, the managers and carers at Lynwood Care Home and our families and close friends for the love and support they have provided us during these challenging years of Ian’s long battle with dementia. ❤️’.

Hailing from Lerwick, a town in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the musician was a member of The Alan Parsons Project between 1975 and 1990.

Created by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, they were joined by guitarist Ian, arranger Andrew Powell, bassist/vocalist David Paton, drummer Stuart Elliott and vocalists Zenny Zakatek and Chris Rainbow.

Ian was also a member of Scottish rock band Pilots, and boasted a very famous solo in Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights.

But despite the song’s popularity, he wasn’t actually a fan of the famed solo – admitting in years to come that his distaste for it was purely ‘guitarist reasons’.

Ian stopped performing back in 2018, when it was announced that he had been diagnosed with a ‘progressive neurological condition’. 

Tough: In a post shared by his wife, Leila, on Saturday, she confirmed that Ian had passed away on Friday, April 7

Iconic song: While he also boasted a very famous solo in Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights

In a statement posted to his facebook page, it was revealed: ‘I and Ian’s family would like to make you aware that he has been diagnosed a while ago with a progressive neurological condition which affects his communication skills. 

‘As a result he will not be playing in public in future, although he still plays guitar and piano daily for his own pleasure. We would like to thank you for your loyal support through the years and to assure you that he is otherwise very healthy and receiving good care.’

In his personal life, Ian was married to wife Leila for what would have been 24 years this May, embarking on a relationship two years prior to their wedding. 

The pair don’t appear to share any children, but often shared pictures with their beloved pets, dog Dolly and cat Poppy, to social media. 

Family: The pair don’t appear to share any children, but often shared pictures with their beloved pets, dog Dolly and cat Poppy, to social media

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