Mark E Smith, the frontman of the Manchester-based band The Fall, has sadly passed away aged 60. The band's manager, Pam Van Damned, confirmed the sad news that Mark died at home on Wednesday morning, adding that a detailed statement would follow. His former bandmate, Marc Riley, spoke about Mark on BBC 6 Music, telling listeners: "Aged 16 he really did teach me so much. The Fall were my favourite band when I joined and they were still my favourite band when I got kicked out."
© Photo: Getty ImagesMark passed away aged 60
Mark was known for his incredible talent as well as his argumentativeness - he hired and fired over 60 bandmates for The Fall since its formation in 1976. In his final interview with The Guardian back in August 2017, when he was asked if it was important for him to remain angry, he answered: "Yeah. People still cross the road from me; I've still got that. I can clear a pub when I want to. It's a talent."
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© Photo: Getty ImagesMark was the frontman of The Fall
Frank Skinner paid a touching tribute to the singer, which was shared on Absolute Radio's Twitter account. He wrote: "I have stood in many dark clubs watching Mark E. Smith prowling the stage amidst a swirl of mic leads and gaffer tape, interfering with speaker knobs, prodding discordantly at keyboards, proclaiming his dark lyrics like a man shouting from a prison window. They were the most exciting music gigs I ever saw or will ever see. Mark went his own way, regardless of fashion or financial rewards. He produced the most original, thought-provoking, spine-tingling music I've ever heard. When I finally got to interview him, he turned up an hour late and greeted me with, 'Hello, Stewart.' I loved him. He was quite simply better than all the rest. I thought he'd live forever. He seemed too belligerent to die."
