Gang of Four
Gang Of Four’s guitarist Andy Gill has died following a “short respiratory illness”, Getintothis’ Peter Guy reports.
Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill has died aged 64.
Manchester-born Gill, Gang Of Four‘s founding member died following a “short respiratory illness”.
The band revealed the news via social media in a statement, which read: “This is so hard for us to write, but our friend and Supreme Leader has died today.
“Andy’s final tour in November was the only way he was ever really going to bow out; with a Stratocaster around his neck, creaming with feedback and deafening the front row.”
According to representatives, Gill passed away following a “short respiratory illness.” He was 64-years-old.
Find the full statement from the band below.
Andy Gill. pic.twitter.com/DHNCz5lAe6
— GANG OF FOUR (@gangof4official) February 1, 2020
Gill played guitar for Gang of Four since the Leeds band’s inception in 1976, alongside original members Jon King, Dave Allen and Hugo Burnham.
Though the band’s line up changed several times over the years, Gill remained the sole original member of Gang of Four throughout – a career ranging from 1978 debut single Damaged Goods to 2019’s Happy Now, their most recent studio album.
Their debut album Entertainment!, released in 1979, was listed as one of Rolling Stone‘s 500 greatest albums of all time.
Gang of Four Entertainment! at 40 – a furious explosion of political polemic
Gill was also a highly respected producer, not only on much of Gang of Four’s work, but bands including Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Stranglers, Killing Joke, Therapy?, and The Futureheads.
The musician’s scratchy, staccato riffs provided the band with their signature sound, and influenced the likes of Nirvana, Fugazi and Franz Ferdinand.
Gill is survived by his wife Catherine Mayer, his brother Martin and “many family and elective family members who will miss him terribly” according to a separate press statement.
Comment: I only got to see Gang Of Four twice but they were bloody great – once in Austin covering South By South West and they were really loud, quite cranky and had a few technical issues and it only added to their rage.
The other was at All Tomorrow Parties in Minehead when they were a brutal punch to the gut.
My mate school friend Bobby Cocker was always one step ahead of me musically when we were growing up and introduced me to Entertainment! what a record that is. It remains a forever listen – one that I return to time again.
A masterpiece which continues to inspire and soundtrack the grim political climate of today. Timeless.
Rest in peace and thoughts to all his family, friends and fans. – Peter Guy, Getintothis editor
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