Paul ‘Wags’ Wagstaff, famed for his work with Paris Angels and Black Grape, has sadly died.
Broadcaster Terry Christian shared the sombre news on Twitter, penning: “RIP Paul ‘Wags’ Wagstaff guitarist with Manchester bands Paris Angels and of Course Blackgrape and more recently Happy Mondays.”
He added a poignant reflection: “Like asking where the music goes when it stops playing – that Manchester vibe Paul was a part of will always be in ‘the area’.”
Besides his notable stints, Wagstaff also lent his talents to Domino Bones and joined the reformed Happy Mondays lineup.
Blackheads frontman Mike Bennett honoured the musician with heartfelt words. He remarked: “Legendary Paul Wagstaff also known as Wags was an important part of Paris Angels, Black Grape and Happy Mondays.
“I knew him for years and he was not just a musician but a literary scholar, and always had a kind heart and a lightness of touch with the disenfranchised,” reports the Mirror.
Bennett continued: “Needless to say I dipped in and out of that category and I have to say that his advice, kind heart scholastic words stopped me from making wrong decision and venturing through dark corridors.
“Despite his own physical deliberations I found him self deprecating, upbeat and creatively of genius proportions.”
Most recently, the talented guitarist was collaborating on a project with his long-term partner Tamara Smith, who is not only an actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company but also a poet and playwright.
Paying his respects, Mike added: “His influence on Tamra’s new body of work will remain substantial and my heart goes out to her, as they have always been quite literally soulmates who viewed life through a very special lens and certainly made a difference both in the local community and in touching people’s hearts in the artistic community worldwide.
“He was a one-off and regaled me with fantastic tales of working with the likes of Joe Strummer and Snow Patrol. We will never see his like again!”
Meanwhile, Badly Drawn Boy said: “I’m very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Wags.. aka Paul Wagstaff. He was always a really lovely bloke, and a truly talented and soulful guitarist. Very sad news.”
The musician is survived by his long-term partner Tamara Smith.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
