The Fall’s lead singer Mark E Smith has died, his manager has confirmed.
He was 60.
‘It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E. Smith,’ the statement read.
‘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 are an English post-punk band, formed in 1976 in Greater Manchester; Mark was the founder and only constant member as the band regularly underwent line-up changes.
One of the most prolific British bands of all time, The Fall had released thirty-two studio albums as of 2017, and although they are notoriously not fans of including compilation albums and live albums in their total, when they are added their discography comes to over 100 albums.
The band never hit mainstream success after a string of chart hits in the 1980s but have maintained a strong cult following and are known to have inspired the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Sonic Youth.
Tributes began pouring in following the news, with Lauren Laverne and film director Edgar Wright among those to honour the late musician.
‘Oh man. Mark E Smith. One of my biggest heroes. Had a nightmare interviewing him (of course) but then he put me in a song,’ revealed Lauren.
‘So sharp, clever and untouchably cool. Thanks for the music, MES.’
Oh man. Mark E Smith. One of my biggest heroes. Had a nightmare interviewing him (of course) but then he put me in a song. So sharp, clever and untouchably cool. Thanks for the music, MES.
— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) 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
In 2017 the band had to cancel a string of US tour dates after Mark fell ill.
‘Unfortunately it would be a gamble on his health to fly anywhere over the next couple of months. Mark’s current problems are connected to his throat, mouth/dental & respiratory system… so throwing all the meds together and continuing with the travel/shows would certainly harm any progress that we have made over the past few weeks.’
He had taken to performing in a wheelchair, and in December 2017 he admitted that he had been ‘very poorly’ for a year but that doctors had never known how to treat him.
‘The doctors never know what’s up with me,’ he told the Indy.
‘As long as I’m OK I’m not bothered. I’m not a vain man.’
He was last seen on stage at the Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow in early November 2017 with his right arm in a sling.
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