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Legendary musician Nik Turner of Hawkwind band dies at 82

Nik Turner co-founded the seminal rock band Hawkwind with Dave Brock in 1969 and managed to write/co-write some of the biggest hits for the band

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: British musician Nik Turner also known as 'Thunder Rider' and the key vocalist of the space rock band Hawkwind has died at the age of 82, on Thursday evening, November 10. What many referred to him as the most psychedelic member, bowed out after an incredible career as the key partner in the influential band. He later bravely started his own solo career and was successful including a range of side projects such as Inner City Unit.

As per his social media platform, a statement was released, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nik Turner – The Might Thunder Rider, who passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening. He has moved onto the next phase of his Cosmic Journey, guided by the love of his family, friends, and fans. Watch this space for his arrangements,” as per Brooklyn Vegan. Turner had a unique presence in the music community and was a key force when it came to setting the basis of the psychedelic genre.

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He was a multi-instrumentalist, and played the saxophone and flute. The legendary star co-founded the seminal rock band Hawkwind with Dave Brock in 1969 and managed to write/co-write some of the biggest hits for the band, which includes ‘Master of the Universe’ and 'Brainstorm'. While moving on to his solo project Inner City Unit, fans could feel the blend of Hawkwind's spaciness with new wave and punk. During the 1990s and 2000s, he successfully collaborated with Jello Biafra, Genesis, P Orride, Youth, Helios Creed, and Nicky Garrett, reported Stereogum. He continued to play many others, such as 'Dark Sun' and 'Space Mirrors', and with his own band Space Ritual.

During a 2016 interview, Turner said to Psychedelic Baby magazine on seeing his old friends like Lemmy, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen, Mick Farren, and Keith Emerson dying, "Well, it's all very sad, but we all have to go some time, so I just try to make my life as full as possible, spread lots of love, heal people as much as possible, and give what I can."

Iconic English rock band Motorhead paid tribute to Turner and tweeted, "We lost Lemmy's old bandmate Nik Turner today. Play some Hawkwind nice and loud!"