The death has been announced of Alan Rankine, the hugely influential guitarist and keyboard player of post-punk alt-pop band The Associates, one of Scotland’s most revered musical duos.

The Associates paired Rankine with the soaring vocals of Billy Mackenzie, who himself died in 1997.

BMG is proud to represent the recordings of The Associates and last year released a 40th anniversary deluxe edition of the duo’s second studio album, Sulk.

The Associates are best-known for their singles ‘Party Fears Two’, ‘Club Country’ and ’18 Carat Love Affair’, and their influence has continued through the decades.

Following The Associates, Rankine went on to produce artists including Paul Haig, Cocteau Twins and The Pale Fountains. More recently, he turned lecturer and with student-run label Electric Honey helped launch the career of artists including Belle and Sebastian, Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro.