Budgie founding member and bassist-singer Burke Shelley has died at the age of 71

Burke Shelley, founder and bass singer of Welsh rock band Budgie, has died aged 71. Shelley’s death was confirmed on the band’s fan site by his daughter Ela.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my father, John Burke Shelley. He passed away this evening in his sleep at Heath Hospital in Cardiff, his birth town. He was 71 years old.”, Ela writes.

The official cause of death has not yet been made public.

Budgie was formed in 1967, and the band’s music is influenced by early heavy metal. Among others, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth have cited Budgie as an inspiration.

The band has released 11 albums in their career, the most recent of which, ‘You’re All Living In Cuckooland’, was released in 2006.

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