Prominent figures from the world of music and pop culture have paid tribute to The Fall‘s Mark E. Smith, who has died at the age of 60.
The band’s manager Pam Vander a.k.a. Pam Van Damned broke the sad news in a statement earlier today (January 24).
She said: “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 day I've been dreading.
"It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E. Smith. He passed this morning at home…. 1/2
— Fall news (@fallnews) January 24, 2018
"… A more detailed statement will follow in the next few days. In the meantime, Pam & Mark’s family request privacy at this sad time." 2/2
Pam Van Damned
The Fall – manager— Fall news (@fallnews) January 24, 2018
His cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess is among the many paying their respects on Twitter, calling Smith a “genius” and a “true uncompromising musical maverick”.
So so sad to hear that we’ve lost Mark E Smith. A true uncompromising musical maverick. A genius, a curmudgeon and someone whose company it was an honour to share. So long M.E.S x x x pic.twitter.com/aZFGNXZuRW
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) January 24, 2018
Check out a selection of other tributes shared on Twitter.
Mark E.Smith R.I.P.
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) January 25, 2018
R.I.P. Mark E. Smith and thanks for the music https://t.co/kHklkkPJgZ
— Andy Bell (@Andybebop) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/laurenlaverne/status/956252851449356288
First we lost Ursula Le Guin, then Hugh Masekela, now Mark E Smith. Been a tough week for cultural icons.
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) January 24, 2018
Alas, the great Mark E Smith has passed away. Not merely a legend of indie music, but someone who, for me, was a gateway into that very genre. Will be blasting the A Sides album all week now. The Fall are no more, long live the Fall! pic.twitter.com/rsxFybINmn
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) January 24, 2018
RIP Mark E Smith pic.twitter.com/4BezoJzeQz
— PIXIES (@PIXIES) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/PaddyConsidine/status/956255603495788544
Mark E Smith ? We will never forget you coming to see us play. Especially when you said watching us play was like watching paint dry. ? RIP
— Garbage (@garbage) January 24, 2018
So very sad. Goodbye Mark. E. Smith. It was good knowing you
— Lisa Stansfield (@lisajstansfield) January 24, 2018
No bigger character than Mark E Smith in Manc music history – a colossus – the rest just chancers and careerists in comparison
— terry christian (@terrychristian) January 24, 2018
RIP to one of the most difficult, problematic, geniuses punk ever produced, Mark E Smith, and I hope everyone he hurt and abused over the years is able to find peace some as well.
— Damian Abraham (@leftfordamian) January 24, 2018
Writer John Niven shared an amusing recollection about Smith’s relationship with Morrissey.
https://twitter.com/NivenJ1/status/956270798079188992
Smith’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Last August The Fall were forced to cancel a US tour after frontman Smith was hospitalised with problems affecting his throat, mouth, and respiratory system. When the band returned to the stage for a series of UK shows in November, Smith performed in a wheelchair.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/?bctid=89282896001
In a 2011 interview, Suede’s Brett Anderson hailed Smith as a “huge, huge influence”, telling The Quietus that he and Elastica’s Justine Frischmann were “obsessed” with the frontman.