INVERCLYDE'S music scene is in mourning following the sudden death of a legendary local performer and mentor.

James G Creighton, most famous for being in the rockabilly band The Shakin' Pyramids, passed away on February 17 aged 62.

Greenock-born James suffered a stroke at home and tragically lost his life in hospital after medics discovered an inoperable bleed on his brain.

James' brother Billy, 54, lives in Jersey and was sadly unable to be with him when he took ill.

He told the Tele he is struggling to take in the tragedy.

Billy said: "It was such a shock.

"It's really hard to deal with."

"What happened is hard to take in.

"Life won't be the same without James."

James grew up in Captain Street before moving to Larkfield with his parents James and Catherine and siblings Billy, Wilm and Richard.

His parents bought him his first guitar from a catalogue when he was 13 and he went on to teach himself the craft.

Billy says music was a huge part of James' life when they were growing up together.

He said: "I remember him bringing home his school pals and they would all sit in his bedroom listening to him play the guitar.

"He taught himself tunes like Vincent by Don McLean and The Beatles' Hey Jude.

"He never had a guitar lesson in his life, he had an incredible talent."

James formed his first band, Fritz in the 1970s.

He started The Shakin' Pyramids with pals Davie Duncan and Ken McLellan in 1980 and the trio took their talent across different countries.

They busked all over France and went to London, where they were spotted busking outside the Virgin Records store.

Soon afterwards they were signed to Cuba Libre, a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin label.

The trio recorded two studio albums and even made an EP with skiffle star Lonnie Donegan.

In 1983, James and the band started to go their separate ways and work on their own projects.

In the mid-1980s, Jim played with the Fighting Fifty First and by the 1990s he was part of the River Detectives.

Live music was still very much a part of his life right up until the end and he played one of the Galoshans Gigs in Greenock in October last year.

Billy said: "Music has been his whole life.

"He's been a great influence on me and on people all over the world over the years.

"He was such a larger than life guy."

James leaves behind wife Frances and daughter Rudi, his siblings, and nieces and nephew Nicole, Taylor, Devon, Morgan and Jaimie.

Musicians across Inverclyde and beyond expressed their sadness at his sudden passing.

Drummer Lesley McLaren described James as 'a true legend'.

She added: "James was such a warm and friendly person who was always encouraging me.

"He was such a fun guy to be around and an absolute character.

"I'm privileged to have briefly played drums for such a force of nature and I feel privileged to have known him."

Singer songwriter Lynnie Carson said: "I am lucky enough to say I shared a stage with James in October 2020 at The Galoshans Festival.

"He was every part the rock star but was so lovely and encouraging.

"We had a right good laugh that day and became friends.

"Every time I posted some of my music he would always comment and give positive feedback.

"I feel really sad he’s not around anymore but feel very lucky to have met him."