A RENFREWSHIRE guitarist who became one of the best-known performers on the Hong Kong music scene has died at the age of 72.

Davie Colquhoun, who started his career playing in Paisley bands, died suddenly on New Year’s Day after a suspected asthma attack.

He was known locally as a member of Findo Gask – a major force in the 70s folk rock scene who gained fans through their single Dr Phinn’s Elixir and signed a contract with EMI Records.

In the mid-80s, Davie answered an advert for a band to play a residency at Hong Kong pub Mad Dogs, which turned out to be run by owners from Paisley.

Soon afterwards, he settled in the Far East and built such a strong reputation as a performer that an obituary in the South China Morning Post fondly referred to him as “Hong Kong’s Eric Clapton.”

Bert Downie, who was friends with Davie from the age of 11 and played with him in several bands, including Findo Gask, hailed him as a “humble man” who never bragged, despite his considerable success.

He told The Gazette: “We went to Camphill High together and used to send away for catalogues for amplifiers and guitars and dream of one day owning them.

“Davie was a talented guy and a good singer. When we had Findo Gask, it made us unique because we had really good singers – our lead singer and Davie as back-up.

“He loved to make people laugh. He was just full of life. His death has come as a terrible shock to all of us who know him really well and were close to him.

“It was always a joy to be in his company and I was very privileged to know him.”

While he enjoyed playing covers of hits by bands such as The Beatles, Davie’s musical legacy also includes two albums of his own songs – Strapped (1998) and Short and Sweet (2010).

Davie, who lived with his partner Irene in Hong Kong, is also survived by his children David and Sarah.

He used to return to Scotland regularly and planned to move back permanently this year.

Bert, who poignantly received Davie’s Christmas card this week following a postal delay, added: “It’s a very sad loss, especially when he planned to come home and no doubt would have still been singing and playing his guitar.”