The Kinks have paid tribute following band member Ian Gibbons' death aged 67.

Gibbons, who was the keyboardist for the rock band of and off from 1979 until 1996, was reported to have died on Thursday.

In a statement, fellow band member Sir Ray Davies said: "To simply say Ian will be missed would be an understatement. My first thoughts are for his family and loved ones."

Mick Avory said: "I’ve known and worked with Ian for 40 years and I shall always remember him as a good friend and great musician. I will miss him so much, especially as we were still working together.

“It’s so sad he had to go so quickly before anyone could say goodbye.”

(Image: Getty Images)

Dave Davies said: "Apart from being a great professional, Ian always had a positive attitude to being on the road and recording.

“In the many years he worked with The Kinks, he added great colour and dimension to The Kinks’ music and he was a good friend.

“I’ll miss him greatly. Lots of love to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Remembering when they first hired Gibbons 40 years ago, Sir Ray said: "When he auditioned for the band, he only played a few chords before I knew he was the right guy to have on keyboard – he seemed to know the right voicing to musically slot in between the other members of the band. And with The Kinks that took some doing!

“He was also was a brilliant accordion player and, apparently, a bit of a childhood prodigy on that instrument. In the studio, he would willingly try out the most random musical idea I would throw at him.

“On the road, he could always be guaranteed to give a smile of encouragement from his side of the stage and buy a round in the bar after the show so we could have a party in Ian’s noisy room.

“Being in a band is like being in a family and today it is as though we have lost family member.”

Gibbons first joined the Kinks in 1979 and stayed with the group for 10 years. He rejoined the band in 1993 until they split three years later in 1996.