Former Blue Murder keyboardist Nik Green (pictured above on the right) passed away on March 13th after a battle with cancer. Former Blue Murder bassist Tony Franklin confirmed Green’s death in a series of tweets, saying, “Sadly Blue Murder's keyboard player Nik Green left us last night, after a brave battle with cancer. A gentle soul and huge talent. RIP my friend.”

Sadly Blue Murder's keyboard player Nik Green left us last night, after a brave battle w/ cancer. A gentle soul & huge talent. RIP my friend

— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) March 14, 2016

Nik Green (Blue Murder's keyboard player) & I. Japan, 1989. We shared so many laughs, silly faces & great music. RIP pic.twitter.com/1loFuIcfrO

— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) March 14, 2016

Blue Murder w/ Nik Green our "secret weapon" keyboard player next to me. Pic by Loren Bates, Portland Oregon, 1989. pic.twitter.com/eJ1g1KGPjY

— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) March 15, 2016

Nik Green back in 2013. Still can't believe he's gone. His contribution to Blue Murder was huge. Rest In Peace Nik. pic.twitter.com/TELoVshguB

— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) March 14, 2016

A biography, posted at the website of Nik Green’s most recent band, The Away Team, states the following:

In 1980, Nik formed an all electronic trio with John Connell and Will Douglas, known as The Really Schmaltzy Cabaret Boys, playing electronic dance/ambient music. John went on to join the English National Opera, singing Wagner and Verdi, but Nik joined English folk artist Roy Harper whose band featured guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist Tony Franklin. In the late 80's, when electronic dance music was really catching on, Nik was recruited into hard rock/heavy metal, with former Whitesnake's guitarist, John Sykes and his band Blue Murder, featuring Tony Franklin on bass and Carmine Appice on drums. Nik moved to Los Angeles. Blue Murder, "yet another casualty of arbitrary corporate politicking and industry foibles" dissolved in 1995. Nik cites his musical influences as Charles Ives, the Beatles, and Steve Reich, amongst many others.

(Top photo - Tony Franklin The Fretless Monster Facebook)