The Fall singer Mark E Smith has died aged 60, confirms the bands manager.
Pam Van Damned said the frontman died at home on Wednesday morning with a more detailed statement to follow “in the next few days”.
The statement released through Facebook read:
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.
Paying tribute, Smith’s former bandmate Marc Riley said the singer “taught me a lot about life and he taught me a lot about music”.
Riley, now a radio DJ, was on air on BBC 6 Music when the news broke. The pair had a tumultuous relationship – as was the case with Smith and many of the 60-odd musicians who passed through The Fall’s ranks.
“Aged 16 he really did teach me so much,” Riley told listeners.
“The Fall were my favourite band when I joined and they were still my favourite band when I got kicked out.”
Simon Wolstencroft, who was the band’s drummer for 11 years, told the BBC Smith was a “funny guy” and “very intelligent”.
Singers Lisa Stansfield and Billy Bragg paid tribute to Smith saying a “cultural icon” had died, as did BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne.