GUITARIST Michael Ward has died at the age of 57, his sister confirmed as tributes pour in for the musician.
The father-of-two died on Tuesday and was most well-known for performing in the rock band The Wallflowers, founded by Bob Dylan’s son Jakob Dylan in 1989.
Tracy Ward Hartfiel, Ward’s sister, made numerous Facebook posts about her late brother confirming that he died from complications with Diabetes.
“Michael Ward has left this plane. It’s with tremendous sorrow that I let you know complications from diabetes took his life last night,” Tracy wrote on April 2.
“Obviously, we are all in shock and overcome with grief.
“This is all I can handle writing right now.”
“Please tell the people you love just how much they mean to you,” she added.
The band announced his passing to fans in a Facebook post on Wednesday and praised him for playing a “crucial part” in their history.
“With love and gratitude the Wallflowers say farewell to the great and singular Michael Ward,” the post read.
“Michael’s role and talents will forever remain a crucial part of the band’s history.”
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Ward performed with the rock band between 1995 and 2001.
“His contributions to music began before his time with the Wallflowers and continued long after his time with the band,” The Wallflowers added.
“Listening to Thin Lizzy on a sorrowful day. Rest now Mike.
“Much love to his family and his two children.”
The guitarist who was nominated for five Grammy awards was due to perform in Las Vegas today.
According to a post on Instagram, the founder of 1990s alternative rock band School of Fish, was set to perform at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country this evening.
“Mi amigos! The All-Stars are returning to Vegas on April 5 at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country,” Ward wrote in the post.
“My great friends and I will be slingin’ the rock jams for all y’all. 18 and over, come party with us!”
A fellow guitarist set to perform with Ward jokingly commented on the post about his excitement to share the stage with Ward.
“Yes once again I will get to shamefully and hamfistedly follow you on stage. Can’t wait,” he wrote.
“Stop selling yourself short. I will hamfully and shamefistedly share the stage with you,” Ward replied.
Tributes have been flooding in for the guitarist with fellow musician Stephen Wesley saying: “RIP, my brother. My heart hurts so bad. You will be missed.”
“I’m so sorry to hear this. I was fortunate enough to meet him back in 2001,” one fan wrote on Facebook.
“He was incredibly kind. It’s brought me much joy to listen to him play over the years.
“He will be remembered and will be missed deeply.”
A second post by Ward’s sister features numerous family photographs as she admits in the caption, “it hurts so much.”
“Wave after crashing wave of tears broken up by smiles and laughter at memories like these. This feels unbearable at times,” Tracy wrote.
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