Renaissance prog-rocker John Tout dead

Influential progressive rock icon JOHN TOUT has died after suffering lung failure last week (01May15).
The Renaissance keyboard player passed away at London’s Royal Free Hospital, according to his bandmates, who noted Tout’s death on their official Facebook page.
Their tribute reads: “He was an amazing musician, highly contributing to the unique sound of the band from 1970-1980. He was the quiet (but funny) one in the band, always very caring towards the fans… He will always be in our hearts and music.”
Tout was part of manager Miles Copeland’s Renaissance renaissance after original members Keith Relf and Jim McCarty departed the group in 1970. He left the band a decade later after the death of his sister killed his love of music.
Tout was part of a 1998 reunion, and he remained one of the band’s special guests onstage and in the studio for many years. He even planned to work on a new project with former Renaissance bassist Jon Camp, but a 2009 heart attack forced him to scale back on his activities.