Tributes pour in from music royalty following the sad passing of UFO's Paul Raymond, 73

UFO's guitarist and keyboard player Paul Raymond sadly passed away at the weekend following a heart attack.

The 73-year-old's passing comes only a week after the band played their final UK show and was announced on his Facebook page by his wife Sandra.

In a heartbreaking statement she told fans of the music legend: "With a desperate and broken heart, fully in tears and pains that feel like they will kill me I have to tell you that my most beautiful and beloved darling Paul Raymond has passed away today."

"The doctors were trying to reanimate him and with success at first but then his system shot down again and there was nothing more they could do for him, he died of a heart attack."

Since the news broke the world of music has rushed to pay tribute to the musician online with an outpouring of support for his family and fellow band members.

Kirk Hammett of Metallica took to Twitter and said "Make more heavy metal in heaven bro!" while Judas Priest also sent their love from their Twitter account and said: "We played many shows with UFO and remember Paul as a brilliant musician and friend - may he rest in peace...."

 UFO were due to continue touring later this year after performing their final UK & Ireland dates at the beginning of April.

Planet Rock sends its condolences to Paul's loved ones at this difficult time.