Guitarist Big Jim Sullivan dies at 71

Big Jim Sullivan, a session guitarist who played with stars that included Tom Jones, David Bowie and Dusty Springfield, has died at the age of 71, reports the BBC. His widow Norma says he died peacefully at his West Sussex home in England on Tuesday (Oct. 2).

Sullivan was reputed to have played on more than 1,000 hits, including 55 No. 1 singles. Songs he played on include "Space Oddity" by Bowie, "Ferry Cross the Mersey" by Gerry and the Pacemakers and "Sunshine Superman" by Donovan.

Sullivan began playing guitar at age 14 and turned professional within two years. He toured with Tom Jones between 1969-74. He is also credited with pioneering the use of the fuzzbox and the talkbox, both of which are pedals that distort a guitar's sound.