A SWINDON music scene stalwart who performed with 1960s chart-topping band The Move has lost his fight against cancer.

John Hillier, from Coleview, died on Monday after a nine-month battle with the disease. He was 58.

The highlight of the session guitarist's musical career was performing alongside the Birmingham band when it hit the big time with Flowers in the Rain.

The song the first tune to be played on Radio 1 when it was launched in 1967 catapulted the group to stardom.

But while the band members including lead vocalist Carl Wayne and guitarist and vocalist Roy Wood enjoyed the limelight, Mr Hillier was happy to take a back seat.

His sister Mary Sturgess, 65, of Locksgreen Crescent, Haydon Wick, described her brother as a "happy-go-lucky" man who divided his time between the two loves in his life his second wife, Carol, and music.

"He adored both," said Mrs Sturgess. "He was always cheerful. Everyone loved him. We have had dozens of letters and cards from people who knew him wanting to pay their respects."

Despite his brush with fame in the 1960s, Mrs Sturgess said her brother was content performing at local venues.

He was a member of several local bands including The Sidewinders, High on the Hog, and Cactus Jack, all of which toured many of the town's pubs where he wowed drinkers with his natural musical ability.

"He was just so laid back," she said.

"He loved playing music country and western was his favourite. He had the voice for it, too."

According to his stepson, Mark Sutterby, who lives in Broad Hinton, Mr Hillier rarely talked about his chart-topping days.

"If you asked him he would tell you, but he didn't like to boast," said Mr Sutterby, 40.

"Nothing would bother him, he was a very happy chap. He liked lots of kinds of music including blues and rock.

"My 12-year-old lad Mark accompanied him on bass at his last two gigs."

David Kitchen, 54, performed with Mr Hillier in the 1960s and 1970s.

He said his friend was notorious for playing practical jokes.

"He would phone band members up pretending to be some high ranking agent he'd fool quite a few," he said.

"He was a fantastic guitarist."

Mr Hillier worked for the Great Western Railway at Swindon Works until the works closed in the 1980s, and was also a security officer at CD manufacturer EMI in Penny Lane.

Mr Hillier also leaves behind a stepdaughter and 14 other grandchildren.

Mr Hillier's funeral will take place at 11am on Thursday, March 18 at St Margaret's Church, Stratton.

Kevin Shoesmith