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David Bowie today led the tributes to Trevor Bolder, the bassist with his legendary Spiders From Mars backing band, who has died aged 62.

The Hull-born musician, who played on four classic Bowie albums including Aladdin Sane and The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust, passed away last night.

He later joined hard rock act Uriah Heep and only stopped touring with them at the end of last year as he battled pancreatic cancer.

The Spiders From Mars had parted company with Bowie in 1973 when he announced on stage - in his Ziggy Stardust persona - that it was the end.

That came as a shock to Bolder and Spiders drummer Mick Woodmansey as well as the audience and Bolder and Bowie had almost no contact since.

However, in a rare public statement today, David Bowie said: "Trevor was a wonderful musician and a major inspiration for whichever band he was working with.

"But he was foremostly a tremendous guy, a great man."

And Bowie phoned him at the weekend - much to Bolder's delight - and also called his family today with his condolences.

A family friend told the Mirror: "He hadn't spoken to Bowie for years, he'd had almost no contact with him since the Spiders split.

"He called out the blue on Sunday afternoon and whatever had gone before, Trevor was very pleased to have received the call.

"He also called again this morning to offer the family his condolences."

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A statement from Uriah Heep said: "Trevor was an all-time great, one of the outstanding musicians of his generation, and one of the finest and most influential bass players that Britain ever produced.

"His long time membership of Uriah Heep brought the band's music, and Trevor's virtuosity and enthusiasm, to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world.

"He joined the band in 1976 and, barring one short break, was a fixture until his ill health forced him to take a step back early this year."

The band's lead guitarist Mick Box added: "Trevor was a world-class bass player, singer and songwriter, and more importantly a world-class friend.

"He will be sadly missed by family, friends and rock fans all over the world. We are all numb to the core."

Tributes poured in from across the music world for the "underrated" and "incredible" musician, who also played with Wishbone Ash, Cybernauts and The Rats.

On Twitter, Spandau Ballet songwriter Gary Kemp wrote: "RIP another Spider from Mars, a kind and decent man, Trevor Bolder. Love and peace to his family."

Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler posted: "RIP to Trevor Bolder of Uriah Heep."

BBC DJ Marc Riley said: "Absolutely gutted to hear Spider Trevor Bolder has passed away. Proper down in the dumps. Big part of my youth."

Mike Scott of the Waterboys added: "Loved your bass playing Dude, and the trumpet! You helped make some of the best music of the 20th century."

Liverpool musician Pete Wylie tweeted: "Trevor Bolder RIP. So underrated."

Mike Portnoy of metal band Dream Theater said: "RIP Trevor Bolder - bass player from Bowie's Spiders From Mars (Ziggy Stardust is my #5 album of all-time)."

Record producer Stephen Street posted: "Sad to hear the death of Trevor Bolder amazing bass player in The Spiders from Mars.

"Melody and groove all in one like the best bass players. Seriously, check out Trevor Bolder's playing on the Ziggy and Aladdin Sane LPs. That guy was incredible."

And comedy writer Dave Quantick wrote succinctly: "RIP Trevor Bolder. The bass Spider."

Bolder was a Hull City fan and managed to watch the Tigers gain promotion to the Premier League against Cardiff at home earlier this month.

He grew up in the Hessle Road area of the city and in later years lived in the village of Little Weighton near Beverley, East Yorkshire.

He died in Hull's Castle Hill Hospital at around 7.30pm last night and leaves wife Shelly, sons James and Ashley and daughter Sarah.