Keith Levene: The Clash guitarist and founding member dies aged 65

Keith Levene, a founding member of The Clash and later guitarist for Public Image Ltd, has died aged 65, his close friend has said.

Author Adam Hammond said Levene, who died on Friday, was one of the most influential guitarists of all time.

Levene founded The Clash with Mick Jones in the 1970s but left before they became successful.

He then joined Public Image Limited, the post-punk band set up by John Lydon after he left the Sex Pistols.

Hammond said his friend had been living with liver cancer for two years, but his death had been unexpected.

“He had so many plans – there were so many things he was doing,” Hammond said.

Levene had just completed a book about Public Image Limited, co-written with Hammond, and had been working on music to accompany it.