Guitarist and singer Steve Hyams, who briefly worked with British rockers Mott the Hoople, has passed away at the age of 62 after battling heart problems for years.

Hyams got his start in 1971 with a band called Dolls House, then went on to perform with the Samuel Prody Band before launching a solo career. His 1974 debut album, 'Mistaken Identities,' featured Wings drummer Denny Seiwell. He had been friends with the members of Mott the Hoople for years when he came on board, working with them on six tracks in 1977 that were later released as 'World Cruise.'

"Steve Hyams worked in a record store on the Kings Road – the Chelsea Drug Store – when Mott The Hoople started in 1969," Mott front man Ian Hunter recalled (quote via Classic Rock magazine). "We soon found him to be an astute listener and his taste was faultless. Later on, he got into music and he’s done some seriously good stuff. I would have been really happy if Steve would have taken my place after Mott the Hoople finished in 1974. He was unique. Steve’s one that got away.”

Hyams went on to release a second solo album titled 'Feather and a Tomahawk' in 1997.

“Steve was a tremendously talented writer and musician," Mott the Hoople biographer Campbell Devine said. "He was also passionate, humorous and sensitive – a very charming and thoughtful man.”

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