Tributes have been paid following the death of one of the most popular and inspirational guitarists to have graced the island’s music scene.

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Steve Parry died last weekend, following a long illness.

Friends, bandmates, colleagues and those he has entertained and enthralled with his guitar playing and concerts over the years paid their respects to a supremely gifted musician, who was described as being part of the island’s rock royalty.

From the mid-80s onwards, Steve was a constant presence in the island’s bars, clubs and venues, both big and small.

Originally from Liverpool, Steve quickly became a key figure within the island’s music scene, playing alongside some of the island’s well-known bands and performers, including Side FX and In4Red, alongside the late guitarist Colin Hinds.

He had already spent a few formative years performing at the famous, original Cavern Club in Liverpool as part of a trio, playing blues, rock and Beatles’ songs.

He is probably best known by many for being the founding member and front man of The GASP, who got together in the mid-1980s and performed regularly across the island, with the line-up boasting many top players over the years including Paul Turner, now bass player for Jamiroquai, bassist Paul Kinrade and fellow guitarists Barry Nelson, Paul Daugherty also played in the GASP, as did guitarist Mike Reaney, who said that: ’Steve was loved by fans for his cool and confident presence on the stage, his edgy blues-rock guitar style and powerful voice, and his matinee idol good looks’.

Led by Steve’s flawless musicianship, encompassing his skill in playing everything from reggae, blues, R’*’B,soul and rock, The GASP were the go-to band for supporting the top visiting bands of the time, including Meatloaf, Dr Feelgood, The Steve Gibbons Band, Toploader, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Level 42, China Crisis, Squeeze and many more.

His talents took him overseas where he graced stages in the UK, Germany, Portugal and Brittany.

Barry Nelson was his guitar partner for many years in both The GASP and the acoustic duo Bluey and the Six Pack.

’Stevie and I found that we had a knack for augmenting one another, and we found playing two acoustic guitars particularly good fun,’ said Barry.

’One evening in 1991, having no beer tokens (as Ste called money) we grabbed our acoustics and persuaded the landlord of the Cul de Sac, Market Street to allow us to play for a few beers quietly in the corner.

’Within hours the table in front looked like a miniature New York! That was the birth of Bluey and the Sixpack.

’Steve had many virtues. Good looks, a unique sense of humour, unmatched vocals and guitar style.

’He could hear a song maybe once or twice and play it the same evening to an audience, with whom he always commanded a rapport.

’He was a fantastic friend and we shall miss him deeply. The perfect troubadour.’

GASP drummer Johnny Peacock said: ’As a musician, Steve was the most professional you will see.

’Once he stepped on that stage, it was his, with the ability to gauge the crowd and play the right songs.’

Outside of music, Steve worked for radio station 3FM as a lead member of their sales team for 16 years, where he was remembered as a popular, friendly, helpful and highly-engaging member of the team.

The station’s director Ron Berry said that he will be greatly missed.

’Steve was a brilliant colleague, a brilliant friend, and musically such a force of nature,’ said Ron.

’He is a huge loss to us professionally and personally, and he will be greatly missed.

’Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Bethany, sons Lewis and Owen and daughter Natasha.’

The family request that charitable donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Rebecca House and Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation.