Popular Singer-songwriter and guitarist Pix Pickford, who had been living in Torre del Mar in Spain, went missing on 29 August after having dinner in a restaurant with friends.

A social media appeal was launched by a his “best buddy” and the Police, and extensive but initially fruitless ground and air searches were undertaken by three Guardia civil teams, volunteers and local police.

Over the weekend, Police found his Citroen Berlingo van and two dogs in the Almogia municipality.

This morning, his body was recovered near a river in the area.  

Pictured: Spanish journalist Jesús Návarro, who had been closely following the search effort, broke the news of the tragedy this morning.

The news has made headlines across Spain, and prompted an outpouring of grief from musical communities from Jersey and Pix’s Spanish home, where he became well-known for his lively performances as ‘GU!R!’ (‘Guiri’, a Spanish colloquial term for ‘foreigner’).

His ‘Band Called O’ bandmates fondly remembered him as “a charismatic character, a great band frontman, singer, songwriter and guitarist.”

The group was made up of Pix, Craig Anders (lead guitar/slide guitar/vocals), Mark Anders (bass guitar), Peter Filleul (keyboards/vocals) and Jerry Robins (drums), who all hailed from Jersey and played together in various groups before ultimately becoming the Parlour Band and then ‘A Band Called O’.

Pictured: Pix photographed by friends on the final night he was seen, and Pix performing as ‘GU!R!’.

They went on to play on popular music show, ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’, and recorded five albums on major labels. 

“We all grew up together,” the group said.

“We made five albums and toured the UK and Europe extensively between 1970 and 1979, before going our separate ways.

“We always kept in contact, and were all together for a reunion show at The Watersplash three years ago. That was our first time playing all together in 40 years. It was a great night.”

Video: A Band Called O playing their track ‘Fooling Around’ on ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ in 1975.

They added: “We are so grateful to have had that one last opportunity to play together.

“Pix was a very dear friend to all of us, and we will miss him greatly.

“RIP, Pix.”

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