TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a much-loved musician who has died after losing his battle with cancer.
Ricky Donaldson, who was keyboard player with popular local band Broomberry Drive, passed away at home shortly after midnight on Sunday.
The 64-year-old had been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in March and underwent chemotherapy but sadly the treatment failed and his health rapidly deteriorated.
His heartbroken wife Shirley, speaking at her home in Castle Levan, said: "I have lost my soulmate.
"Ricky was a very caring person, always putting others before himself.
"He was unselfish to a fault."
Shirley says she feels as if it hasn't sunk in yet that Ricky is gone.
Shirley said: "It's surreal. That's the only way to describe it. There's no music in the house, Ricky had music in the house all day.
"He used to make me a cup of tea and my packed lunch for work. He looked after me well. I couldn't have asked for better."
Only six months before, Ricky had complained of a sensation when he was swallowing and a scan showed he had cancer.
Shirley said: "I was devastated. I couldn't take it in at the time. But he was very positive and the doctors recommended six rounds of chemotherapy to try to stop it.
"But they had to stop treatment after three sessions because he was so weak and his condition went downhill."
Shirley cared for her husband for three weeks at the couple's home before he passed away.
It was love at first sight for the pair who met on a 'set up' date back in 1989.
They got engaged six months later and were married at the Old West Kirk in Greenock a year later.
Shirley said: "It was a whirlwind romance.
"We just hit it off."
As well as being a caring and devoted husband, Ricky's passion was music, inspired by his parents.
He was Gourock born and bred and the only child of Norman and Connie.
Shirley said: "His father was a classical pianist and was a church organist. They had a grand piano in the house.
"His mum had a beautiful voice and sang in all the church choirs.
"That's where he got his love of music."
When Ricky left school be became an apprentice draughtsman at Lamont's, where his father worked, before working in IBM as a strategic planner for 34 years.
But music was his first love.
His best friend Jim Lynn, 64, who is the drummer in the band, also paid tribute to Ricky's extensive musical career, one which spanned decades.
He said: "I've known Ricky since I was six years old.
"We were in bands together between the ages of 13 and 18-19.
"We played in a band called Inner Sound around 1968.
"We supported such bands as Mott the Hoople and The Rolling Stones - they played at Beau Brummel Club in Greenock 1970/71.
"It was for their Hot Licks album."
Other claims to fame included being on the same bill as Uriah Heep and Black Sabbath before they became famous and Pilot, who penned the 1970s hit January.
The friends lost touch then met up again by chance when Jim was a member of drama group Oracle.
This sparked Ricky's involvement with the local 'am-dram' scene and he later worked with Kayos Theatre Company.
Ricky had a recording studio at his home and helped many local performers to take their first steps to success.
He provided the backing tracks for X-Factor hopefuls Stephanie Lavelle and Rebecca Cameron.
Ricky did the same for Kayos members Ross McKnight and Chris Williams for auditions for the Royal Conservatoire.
Jim said: "He loved to help anyone young or old.
"That was the type of person he was.
"He was very well thought of by everyone.
"He was totally dependable and sincere.
"We used to meet every Friday night for a drink and he had a wicked sense of humour.
"I have lost more than my best friend but Shirley has lost so much more."
The most recent incarnation of Broomberry Drive was formed two years ago, and included Alan Mackie on bass and Michael Lyden guitarist and singer.
Jim said: "We played 1960s and 1970s music but it was songs like Knights in White Satin and Forever Autumn, Space Oddity and 10cc's Rubber Bullets.
"Everyone in the band is a perfectionist - Richard said it should sound as if someone had put the record on.
"The more we played the better we got - it was a joy."
Ricky could turn his hands to anything and was also a composer for BBC Radio 4 and created relaxation music for many holistic specialists.
Jim said Ricky's true genius was that he played by 'instinct' and this was something that also applied to his other passion - cooking.
He said:"He was verging on a cordon bleu cook - he was an excellent cook."
Shirley added: "He wasn't very far off it. His presentation was like a five star restaurant. He used to flambe steaks in brandy at the back door. People must have thought the house was on fire."
Local musician Henry Gorman, who played alongside his brother Willie, also paid tribute to Ricky.
He said: "I am so sorry and saddened to hear of Ricky's passing. He was a true gentleman.
"I remember going to Cragburn as a teenager to see Inner Sound. All of those guys in the band were idols to us. He was a fine musician and a downright nice guy."
Shirley wants to thank doctors and nursing staff at Ardgowan Medical Practice for all their support.
She would also like to thank everyone for their best wishes and messages of condolence.
Ricky's funeral will be held at Greenock Crematorium on Monday at 1pm and afterwards to Greenock Golf Club.