(Top) Steve Namchyo (right) with Parikrama members and (above) the guitarist at Little Itlay where he played till he was taken ill

Gangtok, July 14: Steve Namchyo, who had founded Route 66, passed away in Siliguri yesterday. The guitarist would have been 41-year-old this August 29.

Namchyo died of severe pneumonia. He had been rushed to a private clinic in Siliguri where both his lungs collapsed, his friends said.

The guitarist who once played for New Delhi-based Parikrama leaves behind wife Pemba and two daughters. The funeral will be held in Gangtok tomorrow.

One of the most gifted guitarists of the hills, Namchyo was born in 1969 in the Sikkim capital. He was a familiar face to anyone here with an ear for melody and an interest in rock music. Namchyo had studied at St Xavier’s School, Pakyong, where he cut his teeth in the local rock scene with Crabh that he founded.

He joined Parikrama in 1994 and was its guitarist for a year. The band has put up a condolence message on its website. “With regret, we announce the sad demise of one of the best musicians this country has ever seen, Mr Steve Namchyo, from Sikkim. Steve was part of the Parikrama in early 90s and will be missed immensely.... May his soul rest in peace,” reads the message.

Parikrama manager Subir Malik said over the phone: “Steve (Namchyo) was a great guitar player and the first thing I remember was that we had asked him to play Panama and he did it perfectly.”

Panama is a score from Van Halen’s album 1984. It was the third single released from that record and is one of their most recognised numbers.

“He used to play extremely well and was very versatile. He did everything on his guitar, usually the job of two or more guitarists. Everybody used to love him and the time he shared with Parikrama was brilliant,” added the manager.

Malik said Namchyo left Parikrama because of commitments back home in Gangtok. After he came back from New Delhi, Namchyo founded County Revival and The ButtHeads before shifting to Kathmandu to play at a hotel.

But he soon returned to Gangtok and started Route 66. Till he was taken ill, Namchyo was a regular performer at Little Italy. Owner Karma Zimba said Route 66 led by Namchyo used to play four days a week at his pub. “Sometimes, they played the entire week.

“Steve was a legend and everybody used to call him Ustaad. All those who learnt guitar from him looked upon him as a father figure. He is part of Sikkim’s history in rock music,” said Zimba. A special prayer in his memory will be held at Little Italy at a later date, Zimba said.