A Glenrothes AC/DC tribute band who helped former Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable celebrate his 40th birthday have paid tribute to the rock star, who died on Monday.
Kevin Smith, from Bons Balls, described performing at Cable’s party, just weeks before his death, as an honour and a privilege.
Cable was found at his home. It is understood he had been drinking. However, the cause of death has yet to be determined.
Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
He had turned 40 on May 19 and to mark the milestone he was joined by family and friends for a birthday bash near his home in Wales.
Mr Smith said he could not believe it when Cable’s girlfriend contacted him to hire the band for the night.
It turned out the band and Cable shared a passion for AC/DC’s Bon Scott era.
Kirriemuir-born Scott was lead singer of the legendary rock band until his death from alcohol poisoning in 1980.
Bons Balls, named after the frontman, emulate the band’s 1970s sound.
Mr Smith and friends even unveiled a statue of Scott, who emigrated to Australia at the age of six, Down Under in 2008.
“Stuart was saying he loved AC/DC and grew up with the band, like myself,” said Mr Smith, who plays drums.
“It was an honour that he chose us above other AC/DC tribute acts.
“He was a lovely lad. He had a brilliant time and was larger than life.”
Mr Smith said he was shocked to hear of Cable’s untimely death.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “He was a real character and was just having great fun at the party.”
In March 2008, Mr Smith marked his own 40th birthday with the trip to Australia, where he and pals Mick Simpson, Andy Aird and Ian Harris attended a ceremony to honour Scott.
The group were walking down the street in Fremantle, Western Australia, when they met the event promoter, and were introduced to AC/DC bassist Mark Evans. When they found out how far the Scots had travelled, they asked them to unveil the statue.