The Associates singer Alan Rankine dies aged 64: Tributes to influential Eighties indie artist who passed away peacefully at home

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Scottish musician Alan Rankine who was one half of the indie band the Associates has died, his sons have announced. 

Callum and Hamish Rankine posted a tribute on Facebook to their father today after his death at the age of 64. 

'It is with great sadness that my brother, Hamish, and I announce the passing of our father Alan Rankine,' the post said. 

'He died peacefully at home shortly after spending Christmas with his family. He was a beautiful, kind and loving man who will be sorely missed.'

They post added: 'The Facebook community meant a lot to our dad so we'd like to keep this account live and we invite you to celebrate his life on this page.'

Alan Rankine, the Scottish musician and record producer pictured at his home in 2000

Alan Rankine (left) and Billy MacKenzie of The Associates performing at University of London Union, on 30 January 1981

The cause of his death has not been reported yet. 

Born in Stirlingshire in 1958, Rankine was known for being the guitarist in the band the Associates which he formed in 1979 along with singer Billy Mackenzie, who died in 1997. 

They were famous for their 1982 song 'Party Fears Two' but together released three albums in the early eighties. 

Rankine then went his own way to pursue a career in producing as well as releasing three albums as a solo artist, the Independent reports. 

Billy Mackenzie (1957 - 1997, second from the right) and guitarist Alan Rankine (right)

Alan Rankine and Billy MacKenzie formed the band the Associates in 1979

Rankine also helped set up the label Electric Honey in 1992 which helped acts such as Snow Patrol launch their career. The record label was run by students on the music business course at Stow College where Rankine lectured, now known as Glasgow Kelvin College.

Director Grant McPhee, who featured Rankine in his 2015 Scottish post-punk documentary Big Gold Dream, told BBC Scotland the musician was a 'true one-off maverick genius.'

He added: 'He had an innate understanding of feel for a project, which can be clearly heard in the wonderful music he made.

'He also is probably the most naturally-gifted musician I've ever had the pleasure to speak to, and certainly one of the all-time greats.

'Kindness is a skill that is rare and Alan had that in abundance to his prodigious musical and storytelling talents.'

One of the first to pay tribute to Rankine on social media was Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins. He said: 'Devastated RIP Alan you left us with such majesty, such beauty, and we are only enriched massively by what you and Billy created +still such a huge part of my life & I have no idea how you did half of it! Terrible start to the year. Deepest condolences to family.' 

Scottish singer Alex Kapranos said: 'Sad to hear Alan Rankine has died. Such a great contribution to Scottish music.'

Theatre director Liam Rudden said: 'This is such sad news. Farewell to Alan Rankine of the ground-breaking Scottish band #TheAssociates, at the age of 64. He and the late Billy Mackenzie leave such an iconic and important musical legacy. Geniuses both.'

Broadcaster Vic Galloway described Rankine's death as 'unbelievably sad news'.