Mark E. Smith died as a result of terminal lung and kidney cancer.
The family of the legendary Fall frontman released a statement confirming Smith’s cause of death yesterday (February 12). Smith died on January 24 at the age of 60.
“Mark fought a long and hard battle after his diagnosis of terminal lung and kidney cancer,” the family writes. “He took every treatment going, which could be brutal at times and left Mark with some horrible side effects. Mark was such a strong man and hated letting his fans down and tried to carry on regardless against all advice.”
They add: “Mark had a great life and loved and lived it to the full and always by his own rules and we, as his sisters were privileged to be part of it too. Mark is at peace now and pain free, but we, his three sisters have been left heartbroken and will miss our big brother very much.”
The note is signed “Barbara, Suzanne and Caroline.”
The Fall formed in 1976 and released more than 30 studio albums, developing a cult-like fan base. Smith had long been the lone remaining original member of the group.