March 19, 2019 | 12:45pm | Updated March 19, 2019 | 12:46pm
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Bernie Torme performing on stage at the 2013 Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales. Getty Images/Metal Hammer Magazine
Hard-rocking Bernie Tormé died “peacefully” Sunday — the day before his 67th birthday.
The veteran guitar-slinger’s Twitter account announced on Feb. 13 that he was “extremely ill” with virulent pneumonia.
Ozzy Osbourne’s longtime band member “had been on life support for the past four weeks at a London hospital following post-flu complications,” the Irish Examiner reports. “Bernie will be remembered for dedicating his life to his music for five decades. He will be sorely missed.”
Osbourne paid homage to Tormé on Twitter: “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.”
Known for his signature crunching riffs, Tormé joined Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan’s eponymous spinoff band in 1979. He was recruited for Osbourne’s band three years later, replacing guitarist Randy Rhoads after he died in a 1982 plane crash.
Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider hailed him as “a guitar god who played with @OzzyOsbourne & Ian Gillan. We worked together for 3 years, writing over 100 songs for the ill-fated Desperado. I loved that man & today my heart is broken. RIP Bernie. Your guitar weeps.”
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