Mark E. Smith died Wednesday following a long illness.
Mark E. Smith, the hot-tempered leader of the legendary British post-punk band the Fall, died Wednesday following a long illness.
He was 60.
News of Smith’s death was announced by the Fall’s record label, Cherry Red Records, featuring a statement by Pamela Vander, the band’s manager.
The statement noted Smith passed away at home, and more details about his death would follow in the next few days.
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Smith formed the Fall in 1976 in Manchester and was the only constant member of the band over its 42-year history.
In total, there have been 66 different members of the Fall, with many departing — or being forced to depart — due to Smith’s notoriously difficult personality.
Smith was also incredibly prolific, releasing 32 studio albums with the Fall. The band’s most recent album, “New Facts Emerge,” dropped last July to favorable reviews.
The band cancelled shows in the U. S. in August after Smith was hospitalized for issues relating to his throat, mouth and respiratory system. In late December, more dates were cancelled due to Smith’s “full year of bad health.”
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A number of artists and fans influenced by Smith and the Fall mourned his death on social media.
“Baby Driver” director Edgar Wright said Smith was “not merely a legend of indie music, but someone who, for me, was a gateway into that very genre.”
“Mark E. Smith was the antidote to all that is dull and mediocre,” English actress Diane Morgan tweeted.
Smith was married three times: to Brix Smith, who was a member of The Fall from 1983 to 1989; to Saffron Prior, who worked for the Fall’s fan club; and Elena Poulou, who played in the band from 2002 to 2016.
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