Alice Cooper guitarist and songwriting partner Dick Wagner died on Wednesday due to respiratory failure, his personal manager and business partner said on Friday.

Wagner was known for working with Cooper, Lou Reed, Aerosmith, and KISS among others, and helped write many of Cooper's hits.

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According to Susan Michelson, the guitarist's partner in Desert Dreams Production, Wagner passed away at the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Centre in Arizona, where he was confined for three weeks.

His website mentioned how the performer has had different health issues, having survived a stroke, two heart attacks, diabetes, kidney failure, and a paralyzed arm.

Born in Iowa, the performer grew up in Michigan and was recruited by Alice Cooper's producer Bob Ezrin to join Lou Reed's touring band along with fellow guitarist Steve Hunter. Both performers were featured on Reed's "Berlin" from 1973, eventually taking part in the Rock 'n' Roll Animal Tour.  

When Wagner joined Cooper, he was featured with a solo on "My Stars" as well as on "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Muscle of Love" together with Cooper's original band members.

The skilled guitarist also became Cooper's songwriting partner in classic songs such as "Only Women Bleed", "I Never Cry", and "You and Me". He had also worked as Cooper's musical director.

Cooper took to Facebook to express his sentiments about the passing of his famed guitarist.

"Even though we know it's inevitable, we never expect to suddenly lose close friends and collaborators", he wrote. "Dick Wagner and I shared as many laughs as we did hit records. He was one of a kind. He is irreplaceable."

He also referred to his guitarist's way of playing and writing music to be very rare these days and that he truly enjoys working with only a few people, which include Wagner.

Gene Simmons of KISS also released a Billboard statement, saying: "Dick Wagner was the consummate gentleman axeman. (He) will be missed."

In 2004, the performer moved to Arizona and has been residing in Fountain Hills.

TagsDick Wagner, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Gene Simmons, Lou Reed