Steve Mackey.Photo: Mindy Best/Getty
Steve Mackey, bassist for the British rock band Pulp and music producer, died on Tuesday due to illness. He was 56.
The musician’s wife, Katie Grand, first shared the news of his death viaMackey’s Instagram account.
Pulp.Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the NHS staff who worked tirelessly for Steve. He will be missed beyond words,” concluded Grand’s note.
Mackey’s exact cause of death is currently unknown.
Born Nov. 10, 1966 in South Yorkshire, England, Mackey was best known for his work with Pulp. He joined the “Common People” group in 1989, made his first contributions to the 1992 albumSeparations.
The bassist opted not to rejoin Pulp for a summer 2023 reunion tour, noting that he was “exceptionally proud” of their music but wanted to focus on his “music, film-making and photography projects,” perThe Guardian.
Aside from Pulp, Mackey worked prominently as a songwriter, producer and remixer for artists including M.I.A., Kelis, Arcade Fire, Florence + the Machine and others.
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Mackey’s Pulp bandmates paid tribute to him with a tweet posted from their official account Thursday, featuring a photo of the bassist hiking, taken during their 2011/2012 reunion.
“This photo of Steve dates from when Pulp were on tour in South America in 2012. We had a day off &Steve suggested we go climbing in the Andes. So we did,” wrote the group. “& it was a completely magical experience. Far more magical than staring at the hotel room wall all day (which is probably what we’d have done otherwise).”
The band continued, “Steve made things happen. In his life & in the band. & We’d very much like to think that he’s back in those mountains now, on the next stage of his adventure. Safe travels, Steve. We hope to catch up with you one day.”
source: people.com
