Keith Levene, esteemed guitarist and founding member of The Clash and Public Image Ltd, has died aged 65.
His partner Kate Ransford confirmed the news on her Twitter, writing that the musician passed away “peaceful, pain free, comfortable and much loved.”
Levene, best known for forming The Clash with Mick Jones and Paul Simonon in 1986, was fired from the band before they found commercial success.
In 2003 the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Keith Levene, founding member of The Clash and Public Image Ltd, has died aged 65. (Peter Noble/Redferns)
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Fresh from his split from the Sex Pistols, Johnny “Rotten” Lydon teamed up with Levene in 1978 to form Public Image Ltd.
Again Levene left the group in 1983 but not acrimoniously as he continued to write for the band.
Keith Levene and Johnny “Rotten” Lydon were two of the four members who co-founded Public Image Ltd in 1978. (Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix)
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More recently, according to the BBC, Levene had co-authored a book about his time in PIL with friend and author Adam Hammond.
Hammond also shared his sadness at the loss of Levene, writing in part, “There is no doubt that Keith was one of the most innovative, daring and influential guitarists of all time.”
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He offered his condolences to Ransford, as well as Levene’s sister Jill and other friends.
“The world is a darker place without his genius. Mine will be darker without my mate,” he wrote.
Keith Levene, pictured in 2007, made his first public appearance in over 20 years. (JAB Promotions/WireImage)
Caroline Thayer is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Follow Caroline Thayer on Twitter at @carolinejthayer.