Winter Moods co-founder and guitarist Steve Caruana Smith, known as Is-Serp, passed away on Tuesday, the band announced yesterday.

Mr Caruana Smith was from Senglea and he formed the band in 1985, together with bassist Joseph Rizzo (who is still with the band).

The guitarist remained with the band until 2006 and recorded four albums: Winter Moods (1995), Morning Ale (2000), Butterfly House (2003), Ordinary Men (2006) and two Eps, Fool For An Angel (1998) and Closer (2005). He performed with Winter Moods in Belfort, Cologne and Rome.

The band said in a statement: “Steve was a brother to us, he was one of a kind. He was an important part of Winter Moods’ history, an icon to many, and loved by everyone who knew him. We will miss him, his music and his humour. He may be far away but forever close in us.”Winter Moods co-founder and guitarist Steve Caruana Smith, known as Is-Serp, passed away on Tuesday, the band announced yesterday.

Mr Caruana Smith was from Senglea and he formed the band in 1985, together with bassist Joseph Rizzo (who is still with the band).

The guitarist remained with the band until 2006 and recorded four albums: Winter Moods (1995), Morning Ale (2000), Butterfly House (2003), Ordinary Men (2006) and two Eps, Fool For An Angel (1998) and Closer (2005). He performed with Winter Moods in Belfort, Cologne and Rome.

The band said in a statement: “Steve was a brother to us, he was one of a kind. He was an important part of Winter Moods’ history, an icon to many, and loved by everyone who knew him. We will miss him, his music and his humour. He may be far away but forever close in us.”