Punk guitarist Robert Quine has died aged 61 of a drugs overdose in an apparent suicide.

Since his wife’s dead several months ago Quine had been very depressed and using heroin. A note found with his body, which was discovered by close friend Rick Kelly this weekend, suggests suicide, said police.

Quine was first heard on record playing with Richard Hell & The Voidoids’ Blank Generation. He also played on The Blue Mask by Lou Reed in 1982 and in the 90’s worked with musicians including Matthew Sweet and Lloyd Cole.

A small memorial service will be held at Carmine Street Guitars in New York this Saturday at noon.