POP legend Cliff Fish, bass guitarist and singer of Paper Lace, has died aged 73.
The band had huge success in the early 1970s with two worldwide number-one hits – “Billy Don’t be a Hero” and “The Night Chicago died”.
His wife, Elaine, and sons, Rob and Jon, announced his passing his morning.
In a statement to The Sun, they said: "We just wanted to share the sad news that Cliff passed away on Friday afternoon after losing his battle with cancer.
"The last two years have been very difficult but Cliff faced the challenges of cancer with bravery, courage and lived his life to the fullest he possibly could right to the end.
"Everyone that knows Cliff will already know what a kind, caring, fun loving, wonderful, genuine person he was and what a pleasure it was to spend time in his company.
"Not only a talented musician and performer, he made a success from anything he turned his hand to in life and was a devoted Husband, Father and Grandfather throughout.
"Cliff will never be forgotten and he will never stop being unconditionally loved by his family and friends.
"Rest in peace Cliff. X"
The band formed in Nottingham in 1967 before finding huge success in the United States in the early 1970s.
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This morning tributes flooded in for the musician as the news of his death spread.
Bandmate Philip Wright wrote: "It is with great unbelievable sadness and the heaviest of hearts that I mourn the passing today of this lovely guy.
"I have known him since 1967 when I joined the band which eventually became Paper Lace.
"My heart goes out to the family I have come to know and love, Elaine his wife and his two sons Jon and Rob.
"The world will be a darker place from now on, Cliff you will be missed by me and all the people who knew you."
One fan wrote: "Very sad to hear that Cliff Fish, guitarist and vocalist in the band Paper Lace, has passed away.
"Until recently, Cliff continued to play alongside fellow original, Philip Wright (lead vocalist and drummer) in Phil Wright's Original 1970s Paper Lace.
"RIP, sir."
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