The band’s official website announced Greenfield died on Sunday after contracting the virus following a stay in a hospital for heart problems.

Bass player Jean-Jacques “JJ” Burnel paid tribute to Greenfield as a “musical genius,” who had passed away as one of the victims of “the Great Pandemic of 2020”.

Former Stranglers lead singer Hugh Cornwell said on Twitter that Greenfield’s musical skill and gentle nature gave “an interesting twist” to the band, and that he should be remembered as the man who gave the world the music of Golden Brown.

Greenfield was known for his distinctive sound and playing style, using instruments such as the harpsichord and Hammond electric organ.

He joined the band in 1975, and The Stranglers subsequently became one of the most innovative acts during Britain’s punk explosion in the late 1970s.

Greenfield’s keyboards were especially prominent on The Stranglers’ hailed cover of Burt Bacharach’s Walk On By.

The Stranglers had recently postponed a farewell tour because of the pandemic.

Greenfield is survived by his wife Pam.

-with AAP

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