Edge Remembers Stuart Adamson, a 'great inspiration' to U2 in the early days.

"I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Stuart Adamson. I was a fan of his both as guitar player and as a man.

He was a great inspiration to me when U2 were starting out. His first band The Skids made such a big noise and with songs like 'Into The Valley' and 'The Saints Are Coming' made most of the other music of the time seem mundane and insignificant.

Unfortunately The Skids didn't last long enough. I got to know Stuart when he was touring with Big Country - the group he founded and led after The Skids broke up. Big Country was all about Stuart, he did the singing and was the principal song writer and guitar player.

Stuart made some great music during his career and his character came through everything he did. He had a heart as big as a mountain and he was a real romantic soul. He will be missed by all who loved his music and even more by those lucky enough to know him personally."