Ian Morris, a founding member of 1970s New Zealand rock band Th' Dudes, has died. He was 53.
Morris was found dead on Thursday morning in Napier. Police will not comment on the cause of death, but say there are no suspicious circumstances.
Morris was at school with other well known New Zealand musicians Dave Dobbyn and Peter Urlich.
They became friends and ended up forming Th' Dudes, along with Bruce Hambling and Peter Coleman.
Urlich says Morris was was his oldest and dearest friend for the past 43 years and was just as at home classics, jazz and country music.
After Th' Dudes split up, Morris went on to become a successful producer and record engineer and worked at Marmalade Studios in Wellington.
In 1987 he had a No 1 single with Tex Pistols and The Game of Love. He produced and sang in the cover version of the classic song.
His funeral will be held in Hawke's Bay on Wednesday.
