The Cure‘s former drummer Andy Anderson has passed away at the age of 68 after battling terminal cancer.
Anderson first worked with Robert Smith in 1983 on The Cure frontman’s side project with Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Steven Severin called The Glove, playing drums on that group’s solitary album, ‘Blue Sunshine’.
After leaving The Cure, Anderson went on to play with a wide range of artists including Iggy Pop, The Sex Pistols’ Glen Mattlock, Edwin Collins, Peter Gabriel and Isaac Hayes. Recently, Anderson had been working as a solo artist under the name AAMuzik.
The musician last week revealed that he was battling the disease, taking to Facebook to discuss his diagnosis.
Anderson, pictured above as the second on the left, said: “Hi guys, I am and have Terminal 4 Cancer, and there is no way of returning back from that, it’s totally covering the inside of my body, and I’m totally fine and aware of my situation,” he wrote, adding that he was about to begin treatment.
His death from the illness is being reported on Post-Punk.com, on Facebook by close friends of the musician and most recently by founding Cure member, Lol Tolhurst. An official statement has yet to be released.
Writing on Twitter, Tolhurst said: “It’s with a heavy heart, I have to report the passing of a Cure brother. Andy Anderson was A true gentleman and a great musician with a wicked sense of humour which he kept until the end, a testament to his beautiful spirit on the last journey. We are blessed to have known him.”
The Cure have since paid their respects to their former bandmate, posting a photo of him on Facebook. “In memoriam Andy Anderson,” they wrote. “A great drummer and a great man.” They also added a quote from Lord Byron’s So We’ll Go No More A Roving: “Yet we’ll go no more a-roving by the light of the moon…”
IN MEMORIAM ANDY ANDERSON. A GREAT DRUMMER AND A GREAT MAN. Yet we’ll go no more a-roving by the light of the moon…
Posted by The Cure on Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Iggy Pop later took to Twitter to pay tribute, writing: “Andy was a great guy. He was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met or worked with. I’m really sorry he’s gone.”
It's with a heavy heart, I have to report the passing of a Cure brother.
Andy Anderson was A true gentleman and a great musician with a wicked sense of humor which he kept until the end, a testament to his beautiful spirit on the last journey. We are blessed to have known him.— Lol Tolhurst (@LolTolhurst) February 26, 2019
A MESSAGE FROM IGGY:
"Andy was a great guy. He was one of the nicest people I've ever met or worked with. I'm really sorry he's gone."— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) February 27, 2019
In a follow-up tweet, Tolhurst confirmed that Anderson had passed away shortly before 6PM on Tuesday evening.
“So Cindy and I just heard from some friends who were there with Andy as he passed at 5:57 pm UK time today. It is a small measure of solace to learn that he went peacefully at his home,” wrote Tolhurst.
Another friend of Anderson, Sean Dunmore, wrote: “I’m sure Andy Anderson would like [his] fans and friends who he was so dedicated to and loved so much to know, that very sadly he’s passed away.
“Gone to the next adventure, the next gig. Everyone has so many good memories of this kind and gentle man. He wouldn’t want you to be sad but celebrate the joy in life.”
I'm sure Andy Anderson would like he's fans and friends who he was so dedicated to and loved so much to know, that very…
Posted by Sean Dunmore on Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Hi guy’s, I am and I have Terminal 4 Cancer, and their is no way of returning back from that, it’s totally covering the…
Posted by Andy Anderson on Sunday, February 17, 2019
Fans have also started to pay their tributes to Anderson on his Facebook page. You can see some of the posts from Anderson’s fans below:
Andy Anderson, lovely, lovely gentleman and a great drummer. pic.twitter.com/4cBjrS0uvx
— Francois Sky (@francois_sky) February 26, 2019
Another day, another loss. Farewell Andy Anderson and thanks for that unforgettable drum intro to Shake Dog Shake. #RIPAndyAnderson #TheCure pic.twitter.com/iqqtXMxkQe
— P. L. Hickes (@Hickesy) February 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/WEEDADMlN/status/1100519369669521408
Godspeed Andy Anderson you will forever be in my heart. #AndyAnderson #TheCure pic.twitter.com/n6K9htzUSs
— Dymphna (@DymphnaG) February 26, 2019
Once upon a time, I hitched a ride from #Detroit to Ann Arbor, MI, with a carload of kids far cooler than myself to see @thecure for the very first time. We braved an insane winter blizzard to get there. Andy Anderson was on drums for The Cure. RIP, Andy https://t.co/VD5DYpOAau
— Scott T. Sterling (@ststerling) February 26, 2019
Anderson joined The Cure after Tolhurst switched to keyboard duties, and was involved in their fifth studio album ‘The Top’. He also participated in the singles album ‘Japanese Whispers’, singles ‘Love Cats’ and ‘The Caterpillar’, and made an appearance on their live album ‘Concert: The Cure Live’.
NME has reached out to representatives of The Cure and Anderson for comment.
The Cure meanwhile, are adding the finishing touches to their long-awaited new album as they gear up for a lengthy 2019 summer tour.