Bernie Torme, Irish guitarist and sideman to rock heavyweights

• Bernie Torme, who has died in London aged 66, may well be regarded as the last of the great British and Irish guitar heroes who once ruled rock music. Torme never achieved the fame that garlanded the likes of Jeff Beck and Rory Gallagher – two guitarists whose playing influenced him – but his blues-flavoured solos and friendly, unpretentious manner made him the go-to player for many a heavy-rock star. Ozzy Osbourne, Ian Gillan and Dee Snyder all employed Torme.