His music inspired artists from all genres, with the likes of Nirvana, Franz Ferdinand and LCD Soundsystem all citing it as a major influence.
Andy Gill was a founding member of rock band Gang of Four and later went on to produce albums for bands including Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Stranglers.
The punk-rock outfit formed in Leeds in 1976 and, by the next year, had already landed itself a record deal.
Gang of Four released its first single Damaged Goods at the end of 1978 with debut album Entertainment! following several months later.
While the album only reached number 45 in the UK album charts, it consistently appears on “best of” lists compiled by music publications.
Magazine NME named it the fifth best record of 1979, while acclaim has also been piled on by many others.
In 2016, Rolling Stone named it the fifth-best punk album of all time, praising its “avenging-disco syncopation, slashed by guitarist Andy Gill’s blues-free swordplay”.
Gang of Four took two brief hiatuses, but continued recording and touring until Gill’s death, aged 64, on Saturday.
Gill produced all of the band’s albums, as well as Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 1984 self-titled record and indie band The Futureheads’ 2004 debut.
Andy Gill. pic.twitter.com/DHNCz5lAe6
— GANG OF FOUR (@gangof4official) February 1, 2020
A statement from his Gang of Four band members said: “Andy’s final tour in November was the only way he was ever really going to bow out; with a Stratocaster around his neck, screaming with feedback and deafening the front row.
“His uncompromising artistic vision and commitment to the cause meant that he was still listening to mixes for the upcoming record, while planning the next tour from his hospital bed.
“But to us, he was our friend and we’ll remember him for his kindness and generosity, his fearsome intelligence, bad jokes, mad stories and endless cups of Darjeeling tea.
“He just so happened to be a bit of a genius too.”
Jazz singer Curtis Stigers tweeted: “Dancing in my kitchen this morning to Gang Of Four turned up way loud like I’m 16 again.
“RIP Andy Gill. Thank you for the funk.”
Just heard about Andy Gill @gangof4official Had the privilege to meet him in 2016… been a fan since the early 80’s. Anthrax and Ether still as fresh as ever. RIP Andy pic.twitter.com/Oq8ZCznZ2c
— Jane Horrocks (@janehorrocks_) February 3, 2020
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea described Gang of Four’s debut album as “a record that changed my life forever”. He added: “Andy was one of my heroes.”
Other tributes were posted online by Jane Horrocks, Reverend and the Makers, David Baddiel and Inspiral Carpets singer Stephen Holt.
Gary Numan uploaded a dressing room photo of the pair captioned “RIP Andy Gill”.
RIP Andy Gill. pic.twitter.com/cOkwvv6wZH
— Gary Numan (@numanofficial) February 1, 2020