Former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing has posted a tribute message to Budgie’s Burke Shelley, who died Monday, January 10 at the age of 71.

Downing posted:

“It is with much sadness that I hear that our great Bass player, singer, and songwriter Burke Shelley has passed away.

”I have so many treasured memories when supporting Budgie on those great and extensive tours of the UK, I think we felt a special bond as both bands were perusing a direction together that was in some way different to everyone else back in the late ‘60s early ‘70s. Before I knew the band, I was a huge fan, I used to look forward to turning on the radio late at night when a brave DJ named Kid Jensen used to play the band from a pirate radio ship somewhere in the North Sea.

“There can be no doubt that Burke Shelley was part of the embryo that became responsible for the creation of rock, hard rock, heavy rock and heavy metal as we know it today.
For this we can truly thank him. Burke can rest in peace knowing that we all that were there in the beginning or somewhere along the way will live the rest of our lives cherishing the music of Budgie, music that has always been a part of us and always will be.

“If I may I would like to extend sincerest thoughts and condolences to all of Burke’s family, friends, and loved ones form both myself and fans all over the world.”

The remaining members of Soundgarden recently paid tribute to Burke.

Matt Cameron, Ben Shepherd, and Kim Thayil wrote on Instagram:

"We are so sad to learn of the passing of Burke Shelley, the founding vocalist, bassist, keyboardist and songwriter for the influential and heavy UK rock band, Budgie.

"Budgie were early pioneers of blues based metallic rock, and were contemporaries of Black Sabbath. They never achieved the same degree of notoriety and success in the United States, but amongst rock musicians they were revered. They made their impression upon Soundgarden who covered their song, 'Homicidal Suicidal' for the Friday Rock Show BBC sessions in 1992. This track is included on 2014's 'Echo Of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across The Path'.

"Burke Shelley was 71 years old.

"Peace eternal Burke; you will be missed."

 

 

 

 

 

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Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and heavy metal legend King Diamond also paid tribute to Shelley.

King Diamond posted on his social media pages: “Sad news that one of my true heroes, Burke Shelley, has left us. I had the extreme pleasure to meet in person, Burke Shelley and Tony Bourge of Budgie, in Copenhagen Denmark, December 1975 during the Bandolier tour. They gave me after the show a promo postcard of theirs which I asked them to sign, and which is still one of my most prized music related possessions. Budgie has always played on my stereo, and that’s not going to change.”

Lars posted an Instagram story with the following message:

“Thank you Burke for everything you did for heavy music and much next level appreciation for co-writing and creating two songs that Metallica were honoured to record over the years, ‘Breadfan’ and ‘Crash Course In Brain Surgery’.”

Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt took to social media today to pay tribute to Shelley as well.

Says Åkerfeldt: "I almost choked on my coffee this morning when I read that one of my idols, the great Burke Shelley of Budgie had passed away. What a terrible loss!

"Most people know Budgie as the band that Metallica covered ('Breadfan', 'Crash Course In Brain Surgery') ages ago. They remained underdogs in the scene even if they’re there right in the beginning of the creation of hard rock/heavy metal music.

"I think Burke was one of those guys who was quite uncomfortable with the heavy metal tag, but it’s undeniable that they were instrumental in bringing it to the masses. I stumbled upon them in the 80’s. A friend of mine (thank you Stefan!) played me Bandoiler from 1975. It wasn’t the heavy side of their music that sucked me in, but rather the gentle side. Songs like 'Slipaway' are beautiful. And the majestic 'Napoleon Bona-Part 1 & 2' showcased dynamics that a lot of their peers simply didn’t have. Since then I have rather impressive Budgie section. Their softer side remains my favorite part of their music. 'Everything In My Heart', 'You And I', 'Make Me Happy', 'Young Is A World' and so on.

"Burke had a jazzy quality to his voice as well as the ability to scream like the best of them. I think he was a big fan of Paul McCartney, or at least that’s what I hear.

"We recorded 2 albums at the Rockfield studio in Monmouth/Wales, which was kind of the go-to studio for Budgie. I remember waiting for them to drop by, but they never did. Why would they? Childish dreams on my behalf. So I've never met them unfortunately. I did however manage to see them live twice, and they’re fantastic!

"Thank you Burke, for all your fantastic music! And our sincere condolences to the Shelley family as well as to the remaining band members, past and present."

Ela Shelley shared the news of her father's passing earlier in the Budgie fans worldwide Facebook group, stating :"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my father, John Burke Shelley. He passed away this evening in his sleep at Heath Hospital in Cardiff, his birth town. He was 71 years old. Please respect the family during this time. With love, His four children: Ela, Osian, Dimitri and Nathaniel."

In 2010, Budgie cancelled tour dates in Poland and the Czech Republic after Burke Shelley underwent emergency surgery for an an aneurism of the aorta.

Shelley appeared on all 11 Budgie studio albums, beginning with their self-titled debut in 1971, and culminating with You're All Living In Cuckooland in 2006.