Composer and guitarist Billy Hinsche died Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the age of 70.
Hinsche played guitar on the Beach Boys and Cold War covered tracks, such as “Don’t Worry Baby” and “Secret Agent Man.”
His other credits include Joe Walsh’s solo album “Bad Company” and a trip through Frank Zappa’s house in a 1960s television special.
Hinsche was born in Austin, Texas, and moved with his family to Colorado at the age of 4.
He studied music composition at the University of Colorado in the late 1960s. A few years later, he married Becky Mosen, who was a student in the drumming program at the University of Colorado. They had four children, including a son, James, a classical guitarist who is now a member of the progressive rock band King Crimson.
“My career gave me the pleasure of getting to hang out with great people and meet new friends along the way,” Hinsche wrote on his Facebook page. “I am so appreciative of all of the great music that I have heard throughout my life. Thank you.”