Primal Scream’s founding guitarist Robert “Throb” Young has died at the age of 49. Details are still emerging, but local police have announced that no foul play is suspected, and Young was found inside an apartment in Hove, along the south coast of England.
Young left Primal Scream in 2006, but was with the influential rock band during their heightened ’90s fame after forming the band in Glasgow with school friend and frontman Bobby Gillespie in 1984.
Wrote the Guardian: “They hit the heights with psych-pop album Screamadelica in 1991, which included songs like Movin’ on Up and Loaded and won the first Mercury Prize.”
Primal Scream released a statement this morning, which reads:
“We have lost our comrade and brother Robert Young. A beautiful and deeply soulful man. He was an irreplaceable talent, much admired amongst his peers, In the words of Johnny Marr ‘Throb with a gold top Les Paul — unbeatable’.
He was a true rock and roller. He walked the walk. He had ‘Heart & Soul’ tattooed on his arm and i’m sure on his heart too. He once said to me “when we go onstage it’s a war between us and the audience” He never let go of that attitude. Our love and thoughts are with his sons Brandon and Miles and their mother Jane, his wife Rachel, and his immediate family.”
Young’s former bandmate Mani wrote a message on the Primal Scream fan forum yesterday, which read: “Robert young, AKA the throb, passed away this weekend in hove. Truly devastating news.”
Others chimed in with their tributes via social media, including Liam Gallagher, writer Irvine Welsh, and Tim Burgess of the Charlatans.
RIP Robert Young AKA 'Throb'. Live Forever LG x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) September 11, 2014
So sad to hear of the death of Rob 'Throb' Young https://t.co/ZZ6a93DYXL A real good un
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) September 11, 2014
RIP Robert Young. One of the best, the most beautiful, who WAS rock n roll. Big love bro, give them it big time over the other side. #Throb
— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) September 11, 2014
Rest In Peace Robert Young of @ScreamOfficial. That big power chord in Loaded is ringing out on the other side now
— Andy Bell (@Andybebop) September 11, 2014
RIP Throb. A true Rock n Roller. X pic.twitter.com/U4w4wl7H0J
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) September 11, 2014
Let’s pour one out on the “Rocks”…