Prostate Cancer

"As a muso he was a giant," Anderson said.

"His contribution to music is invaluable and that contribution will live on." Anderson and Wells were the driving force behind Rose Tattoo, who became a local and international success with their blues-based rock in the late 1970s and early 80s.

At the heart of their sound was Wells's well-crafted slide guitar playing, a style that would become his trademark.

Advertisement: After he left the Tatts in 1983, Wells enjoyed solo success and released a string of blues and country-based albums that furthered his reputation as a guitar virtuoso.

His death comes just six months after a tribute concert was held in Sydney to raise funds for his treatment.

Among those taking part at the Enmore Theatre show were rock luminaries Anderson, Tim Rogers, Billy Thorpe and now-MP Peter Garrett.

Yesterday Garrett paid tribute to the rock legend.

"He was a gentle man underneath it all," he said.

"He cared about people and he cared about his music.

The thing about Pete Wells was that he lived it right down into the deeper parts of who he was as a person." While Wells cultivated the image of a mean rock'n'roller throughout his career, there was another side to his character, according to Anderson.

"He had the thing that I sought the most, which was rock'n'roll," he said.

"He had an amazing influence on me.

He was a parent, a best friend and an educator." Anderson visited Wells in hospital 10 days ago.

"I am glad that I was able ...

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