Mark E Smith, the force behind Manchester post-punk legends The Fall, has died at the age of 60.
News of his death was confirmed by the band’s manager Pam Vander, aka Pam Van Damned, on Twitter earlier today (January 24). “It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E Smith,” wrote Vander in a statement. “He passed this morning at home. A more detailed statement will follow in the next few days. In the meantime, Pam and Mark’s family request privacy at this sad time.”
The Fall were formed by Mark E Smith in Prestwich in 1976. Smith was the only constant member of the famously prolific band. Throughout their career they released some 32 albums, with their latest, New Facts Emerge, coming as recently as last year. The only thing to surpass this number was the amount of band members they cycled through – The Fall had some 66 members in the band throughout their time, with a third lasting less than a year with the group.
Smith was also a relentless touring musician, performing even when his health suffered, like a show in Wakefield in October that saw him perform in a wheelchair. Last year the band cancelled a series of shows, including their first scheduled US tour for a decade, due to Smith’s health issues.
