Mark E. Smith of The Fall has passed away

Mark E. Smith, singer and brainchild of Manchester based post-punk band The Fall, has died today at the age of 60.

The news broke via band manager Pamela Vander (via Fall News):

“It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E. Smith. He passed this morning at home. A more detailed statement will follow in the next few days. In the meantime, Pam & Mark’s family request privacy at this sad time.”

The Fall were one of the earliest and most prolific British post-punk bands, and were highly influential, abrasive, original, and confrontational. The band constantly shifted genres and lineups over the years, never content with staying the same for too long. Each new record experimented with a slew of outsider sounds, weaving in Krautrock influences, heavy electronics, and more over the years, while still retaining their unmistakable sound.  Smith’s trademark snarls were often drenched in literary references and surreal narratives; a truly unique poet laureate that was without peer. Legendary BBC DJ John Peel famously claimed The Fall was his all-time favorite band, and recorded over twenty-four sessions with them over the course of twenty-six years, all of which were compiled in 2005.

The Fall have released thirty-two studio albums, the latest released in July 2018 on Cherry Red. The band was set to tour the US for the first time in twelve years, playing 5 nights at Baby’s All Right, a small venue in New York City.

RIP Mark, thank you for forty years of incredible music…

Here’s a tribute from friend and Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam: