Mott The Hoople bassist Pete Overend Watts dies aged 69 after cancer battle

Musician Pete Overend Watts has died at the age of 69 following a battle with cancer.

The Mott The Hoople bassist, whose hit tracks include All The Young Dudes and Roll Away The Stone, passed away on Sunday.

Peter Purnell of Angel Air Records confirmed the news, saying that Watts was a “highly intelligent and witty man who throughout his adult life was both an immensely likeable character and an enigma".

Former band mate Verden Allen wrote on Facebook: “Feeling heartbroken at the news of our beloved Overend leaving us today.

“Pete was a warm, funny, intelligent, talented and hugely charismatic person, simply unique in all ways.

“You'd only need to spend a small amount of time in his company to know that. Whether it was his fishing, rock and roll history or walking exploits, he always had an entertaining story to tell.”

Morgan Fisher added: “My dear, darling, crazy friend Peter Overend Watts passed on today. I can't speak, am numb.

“His bravery, honesty, generosity, open heart and still-devastatingly witty humour during his last days utterly blow me away. He left this world as a total hero, a samurai. Love you, Pete.”

Watts was born in Birmingham in 1947 and was one of the founding members of the band in 1965, which performed under names including The Buddies, Shakedown Sound and Silence before settling on Mott The Hoople.

After a hiatus, the band reunited in 2009 for a series of live shows at the Hammersmith Apollo.