Mark Hollis, the lead singer and co-founder of 80’s band Talk Talk has reportedly died at the age of 64.
The news of Hollis’ death was broken by a family member via Twitter, and has since been confirmed by the group’s former manager, Keith Aspden.
Aspden told the BBC: “Sadly it’s true, Mark has died after a short illness from which he never recovered.”
Further details surrounding Hollis’ passing are yet to be confirmed.
Formed in 1981, Talk Talk were a major part of the New Romantic movement.
The group had their big break with ‘It’s My Life’ in 1984, taken from their sophomore album of the same name.
The band broke up in 1992, after which Hollis went on to release a critically-acclaimed self-titled solo album, before leaving music behind entirely and removing himself from the public eye in 1998, stating: “I choose for my family. Maybe others are capable of doing it, but I can’t go on tour and be a good dad at the same time.”
Been relistening to Mark Hollis’s dream-soaked Spirit of Eden today. His influence upon music was immense and far reaching. A great presence in the modern era who took his bow far too early but has left us so much still to be moved by. #MarkHollisRIP #TalkTalk
— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) February 26, 2019
Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet said: “His influence upon music was immense and far-reaching. A great presence in the modern era who took his bow far too early but has left us so much still to be moved by.”
"Mark was the main songwriter of some truly great songs” @TalkTalk pic.twitter.com/beH4kGPcmA
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) February 25, 2019
Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran described Hollis as “one of music’s great innovators”, going on to recount their tour together: “Talk Talk, which he co-founded and fronted, were on tour with us in 1982, It made for a tremendous and very entertaining bill. Mark was the main songwriter of some truly great songs, including It’s My Life and Such a Shame.”
Photo via Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images
