BERNIE TORMÉ: Former GILLAN And OZZY OSBOURNE Guitarist Dies Aged 66
March 17th, 2019
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Irish rock musician Bernie Tormé, former guitarist with Gillan and Ozzy Osbourne, died on March 17th, 2019 at the age of 66.
Tormé’s family issued the following statement: “Bernie Tormé passed away peacefully on the 17th March 2019, one day short of his 67th birthday, surrounded by his family. He had been on life support for the past four weeks at a London hospital following post-flu complications.
“Bernie will be remembered for dedicating his life to his music for five decades. He will be sorely missed.”
Born Bernard Tormey in Dublin, Ireland on March 18th, 1952, Tormé relocated to London, England in 1974 and went on to record over 24 albums as both a solo artist and band member, which included stints with Gillan, Atomic Rooster, GMT and Desperado.
Twisted Sisted and former Desperado frontman Dee Snider commented: “Woke up to find out my friend Bernie Tormé has died. He was a guitar god who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Ian Gillan. We worked together for three years, writing over 100 songs for the ill-fated Desperado. I loved that man and today my heart is broken. RIP Bernie. Your guitar weeps.”
Tormé also briefly joined Ozzy Osbournes’s touring band following the tragic death of Randy Rhodes in March 1982.
Ozzy Osbourne said: “What a sad day. We’ve lost another great musician. Bernie was a gentle soul with a heart of gold. He will be dearly missed. I send my sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans. Rest in Peace Bernie.”
Bernie Tormé’s last solo studio album Shadowland was independently released in November 2018.
1983 promotional photograph by Phil Ward.
