There’s sad news to report today (March 2), as Steve Mackey, the English musician, producer, filmmaker and photographer, best known as longtime bassist of influential Sheffield band Pulp, has died. He was 56.
Mackey was quietly battling a brief illness, according to a post on Instagram that relayed the heartbreaking and unexpected news. It was posted earlier today by Mackey’s wife Katie, and reads:
“After three months in hospital, fighting with all his strength and determination, we are shocked and devastated to have said goodbye my brilliant, beautiful husband, Steve Mackey. Steve died today, a loss which has left myself, his son Marley, parents Kath and Paul, sister Michelle and many friends all heartbroken. Steve was the most talented man I knew, an exceptional musician, producer, photographer and filmmaker. As in life, he was adored by everyone whose paths he crossed in the multiple creative disciplines he conquered. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the NHS staff who worked tirelessly for Steve. He will be missed beyond words.”
The news was also shared by Pulp, the band Mackey joined in 1989 and helped become one of the biggest groups in the United Kingdom and a pivotal figure in Britpop’s Cool Britannia movement of the 1990s. Pulp’s 1995 album Different Class is an iconic piece of British artistry, and though on recent hiatus, the band was planning live dates in the future.
Mackey also co-wrote and produced songs for M.I.A., and his production work includes releases by Florence and the Machine, Marianne Faithfull, Palma Violets, The Long Blondes, Jarvis Cocker’s solo work, and others. Alongside Cocker and members of Radiohead, he had a cameo in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as part of The Weird Sisters.
More to come. RIP.
***
***