HE had fans the world over, but a talented guitarist was a humble member of the Tyne Valley.

Charlie Harcourt, known for his roles at popular North-East bands Junco Partners and Lindisfarne, resided in Newton and was a regular at the Golden Lion, in Corbridge.

He died on July 28 after a long illness, aged 73.

Charlie was born in Newcastle and fell in love with music at a young age.

He was a founder member of Junco Partners who replaced The Animlas at the iconic Club A Go Go as resident band. He went on to form Jackson Heights with Lee Jackson, who had been in The Nice until Keith Emmerson left to form ELP.

His first involvement with legendary North-East band Lindisfarne came between 1973 and 1975 when he was reunited with band leader Alan Hull, with whom he busked with on the streets of Newcastle at the age of 14.

Fast forward 30 years and Charlie was reunited with the band members in the 2005 memorial concert for the late Alan Hull at Newcastle City Hall.

That appearance back with his former band members wasn't to be a one off though and they again reformed for the band's Christmas show of 2013.

He continued to play and tour with Lindisfarne until his declining health saw him quit the music scene in 2017.

Paying tribute to Charlie, former Lindisfarne manager Barry McKay said: "Tyneside has sadly lost one of its most modest yet greatest ever guitarists who, since the early 1960s, has performed hundreds of gigs not only in the Newcastle area but around the world.

"Charlie Harcourt, who I first met back in 1975, was one of the nicest guys and most talented of musicians I have ever worked with.

"As a guitarist, he personified the phrase “less is more” in the way he added his musical ideas to enhance the sound of band he played with."

He added: "Charlie was one of those rare guitarists who had his own unique sound. He would sometimes describe the superb guitar parts he would create at the drop of a hat as “Tasty Licks.”

"They certainly were and so much more.

"Charlie was also what I can best describe as ‘a musician’s musician’. He was respected and admired by everyone he worked with and was a master of his various styles of playing."

Charlie, who was married to Dot, and his family had asked for donations in lieu of flowers to the British Lung Foundation.