mxdwn.co.uk » Death https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Fri, 01 May 2026 18:26:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 Ozzy Osbourne’s Cause Of Death Revealed https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ozzy-osbournes-cause-of-death-revealed/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ozzy-osbournes-cause-of-death-revealed/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:47:52 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=111969 Music legend Ozzy Osbourne’s cause of death has now been confirmed, just a couple of weeks after the singer’s passing at the age of 76. According to The New York Times, the rockstar’s death certificate lists the cause of death as a heart attack. The certificate also mentioned that Osbourne suffered from coronary heart disease on top of Parkinson’s disease which he had been diagnosed with in 2003 but kept a secret until 2020.

The certificate was submitted by his eldest daughter Aimee Osbourne in London with reports later emerging of an air ambulance flying to his home in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, on the day of his death (July 22).

Ozzy was buried in the grounds of his UK mansion during a private ceremony attended by family, friends and other music legends such as Elton John, members of Metallica, his Black Sabbath band members and more. He was escorted in a cortege through his home city of Birmingham prior to the ceremony, giving his fans the chance to say one last goodbye. His family got the chance to stop by a fan memorial at the Black Sabbath Bridge, appearing to be wearing Ozzy’s famous ring and glasses.

The Brummy singer had played his final live show in his hometown just a couple of weeks before his death, raising money to help cure Parkinson’s disease but also for Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice. It was later confirmed to be one of the highest-grossing charity concerts of all time.

His second daughter, Kelly Osbourne, took to Instagram on August 4 to talk about the passing of her father and how overwhelmed with love she had felt seeing the support from the fans during this difficult time: “I’ve sat down to write this a hundred times and still don’t know if the words will ever feel like enough. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you. The love, support, and beautiful messages I’ve received from so many of you have truly helped carry me through the hardest moment of my life. Every kind word, every shared memory, every bit of compassion has meant more than I can ever explain. Grief is a strange thing. It sneaks up on you in waves. I will not be ok for a while, but knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference. I’m holding on tight to the love, the light, and the legacy left behind.”

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ozzy-osbournes-cause-of-death-revealed/feed/ 0 Fan Falls To His Death At Oasis Concert https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/fan-falls-to-his-death-at-oasis-concert/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/fan-falls-to-his-death-at-oasis-concert/#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:07:05 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=111947 An Oasis fan in his forties fell to his death on the night on August 2 at one of the band’s Wembley Stadium shows. The Met Police and medics responded to reports of an injured person around 10:30pm. The man was said to have sustained injuries after falling from the upper tier of the stadium and was promptly announced dead at the scene.


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Oasis released a statement, sharing:  “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night. Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.”

Liam and Noel Gallagher began their Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour last month in Cardiff, Wales. Last night’s performance was the fourth of a five-date run at Wembley Stadium. A representative for the venue has confirmed to The Guardian that tonight’s (August 3) concert will go on as planned. Oasis are scheduled to play two more shows at Wembley this September

Police said to BBC that the stadium was busy and that they “believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage”. The Met has asked anyone who may have information to get in touch via 101. It added that the investigation would be passed to the Health and Safety Executive in the next few days.

Another source told The Telegraph that they thought what they saw was a coat falling, only to realise with horror that it was a person. “It was a big fall. God knows how it happened. It was so tragic. I don’t know how on Earth it happened. It was heart-breaking. He was only young.”

Oasis reunited this year for their Oasis Live ’25 tour after a 16-year split and feud. Wembley Stadium also shared a statement that medics, police and the London Ambulance service had attended to the injured man. “Despite their efforts, the fan very sadly died. Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers,” it said.

The band is set to appear in Edinburgh on 8, 9 and 12 August and will then travel to Ireland, Canada, the US and Mexico before returning to Wembley on 27 and 28 September.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/fan-falls-to-his-death-at-oasis-concert/feed/ 0 Ozzy Osbourne To Get Special Tribute At The MTV Video Music Awards https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ozzy-osbourne-to-get-special-tribute-at-the-mtv-video-music-awards/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ozzy-osbourne-to-get-special-tribute-at-the-mtv-video-music-awards/#comments Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:36:05 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=111755 Prince of darkness, Ozzy Osbourne is set to get a special tribute at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards following the sad news of his passing on July 22.

Van Toffler, CEO of digital media production and distribution company Gunpowder & Sky, who spent thirty years at MTV will have a key role in the ceremony set to take place on September 7. He told Variety: “Toffler told Variety: “I have no doubt we will spend the next month figuring out the proper tribute and send off to Ozzy on the Video Music Awards, because he was such a large figure in music history, and the family had such an impact on MTV history, and we need to acknowledge that.”

“We were deep in the throes of reality television in the early 2000s but I don’t think we’d ever had someone over 50 years old featured on any show on MTV in its history. We were looking to launch Cribs, and we shot a bit with the Osbournes, and we all kind of looked at each other and just felt there is some wonderful, serendipitous chaos and insanity in this house that people would eat up. What a loving, dysfunctional, chaotic, musical family they were. And it just hit us to keep shooting, which went on for years.”

Indeed, Toffler is also well-known to have helped launched early 2000s iconic MTV reality show The Osbournes which followed the crazy life of Ozzy, Sharon and their children Kelly, Aimee and Jack.

The death was confirmed by the singer’s family in a statement which read: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.” Since then, multiple other artists such as Yungblud, Ozzy’s fellow band members of Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan, Sir Elton John, AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin and more have released statements about Ozzy, him as a person and the impact he has had on various different socials.

The members of Black Sabbath  said they felt like they “lost their brother” whilst Yungblud, an artist highly praised and loved by Ozzy himself, released some very heart words saying: “I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room.  But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”

The icon’s death came shortly after his farewell gig with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham on July 5.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ozzy-osbourne-to-get-special-tribute-at-the-mtv-video-music-awards/feed/ 0 S Club 7 to Go Ahead with Reunion Tour after Paul Cattermole’s Death https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/s-club-7-to-go-ahead-with-reunion-tour-after-paul-cattermoles-death/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/s-club-7-to-go-ahead-with-reunion-tour-after-paul-cattermoles-death/#comments Sun, 21 May 2023 20:42:54 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=61798 S Club 7 have confirmed that their reunion tour announced earlier this year will still be going ahead despite band member Paul Cattermole’s death in April 2023.

The tour has been renamed The Good Times Tour, with band member Tina Barrett explaining in a video, “We are calling the tour The Good Times tour in tribute to Paul because that was his song and all the fans know it was his song so it just feels right.“

The band also revealed that Hannah Spearitt will no longer be joining the tour, with Jon Lee sharing in their video announcement, “You’ve probably noticed that there’s only five of us here today, and although Hannah will always be part of S Club 7, she won’t be joining us on this tour.”

Lee continued, “We wish her all the best for the future. However, the five of us are really excited and geared up.”

Hannah has not publicly commented on her choice to pull out from the tour, but did share her feelings after his death was announced. The two were in a relationship during S Club 7’s heyday, with Hannah sharing, “He was my first true love. I think it was something that grew from a solid friendship. I’m glad I had that first time round. I was completely in love with him — probably more so than he with me.”

The band also shared their feelings about Paul in their announcement video, with Bradley McIntosh saying, “No one could ever replace our Paul, but he lives on inside each and every one of us.”

Rachel Stevens commented, “He’s always going to be with us. He was such a big part of this tour, so involved in everything that we are planning. And we are just going to keep his memory alive and share it with all of you and it’s going to make it even more special.”

The band have subsequently removed the number 7 from their social media pages, and will be known simply as S Club for this tour.

The Good Times Tour is set to commence in October 2023 as part of the group’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Tickets can be purchased here.

13/10/23 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
14/10/23 – Utiilita Arena – Sheffield
16/10/23 – 3Arena – Dublin
18/10/23 – Hydro Arena – Glasgow
19/10/23 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle
20/10/23 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
21/10/23 – AO Arena – Manchester
23/10/23 – International Arena – Cardiff
24/10/23 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
26/10/23 – Utilita Arena – Birmingham
28/10/23 – The O2 Arena – London

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/s-club-7-to-go-ahead-with-reunion-tour-after-paul-cattermoles-death/feed/ 0 Tributes For Queen Elizabeth II Flood In From Artists And Musicians https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tributes-for-queen-elizabeth-ii-flood-in-from-artists-and-musicians/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tributes-for-queen-elizabeth-ii-flood-in-from-artists-and-musicians/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2022 13:31:18 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=58647 The devasting news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing sent shockwaves worldwide; the longest-reigning monarch in British history tragically passed away at the age of 96. The announcement made yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 8th September 2022) confirmed that the beloved royal family member had passed at her Scotland residence surrounded by her family.

As soon as the tragic news was confirmed, tributes from the music world followed; Sir Elton John was amongst the first to pay his respects. Sir John had a famously close relationship with the Queen and has received several accolades from her; in 1995 he was appointed a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) and in 1998, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II herself for his work in various charities and in 2020 he was appointed CH (Member of the order for the Companions of Honour) for his musical legacy and influence.

Speaking on social media, Sir John issued the following emotional statement, “Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing, She was an inspiring presence to be around, and led the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”

Sir John was also one of many artists who dedicated their live performances to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Whilst appearing in Toronto, the “Rocket Man” singer halted this set to give a speech remembering his dear friend and late monarch. Before starting his 1974 hit “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me“, Sir John addressed the crowd, “We have the saddest news about the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, She was an inspiring presence to be around – I’ve been around her and she was fantastic. She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine care and warmth.”

The singer continued, “I’m 75 – she’s been with me all my life and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore. But I’m glad she’s at peace, and I’m glad she’s at rest, and she deserves it because she’s worked b**ody hard. I send my love to her family and her loved ones. She will be missed, but her spirit lives on and we celebrate her life tonight with music – okay?”

Fellow British rockers The Rolling Stones also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II; the legendary group released a statement, “The Rolling Stones extend their deepest sympathy to the Royal family on the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who was a constant presence in their lives as in countless others”

Frontman Mick Jagger continued, “For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, has always been there. In my childhood, I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much-beloved grandmother of the nation.” Members of the British girl group Spice Girls also took to social media to pay respects; Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) and Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) both posted emotional tributes.  

The prince of Darkness himself has also joined the long list of musicians and artists who wanted to pay tribute, within the post Ozzy Osbourne utilised a beautiful picture of Queen Elizabeth II paired with an equally beautiful caption.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tributes-for-queen-elizabeth-ii-flood-in-from-artists-and-musicians/feed/ 0 The Moody Blues Drummer Graeme Edge Has Passed Away Aged 80 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-moody-blues-drummer-graeme-edge-has-passed-away-aged-80/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-moody-blues-drummer-graeme-edge-has-passed-away-aged-80/#comments Sat, 13 Nov 2021 15:34:06 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=48240 On 11th November 2021 it was confirmed that famed and celebrated musician Graeme Edge has tragically passed away aged 80. The drummer is best known as one of the founding members of the British blues band Moody Blues. A statement approaching the sad news was posted on the band’s social media pages, the moving tribute was written by frontman Justin Hayward.

Edge was born on 30th March 1941 in Staffordshire and formed The Moody Blues at the age of 23. Edge was a key songwriter in the group and was often described as the quintet’s poet. Edge’s poems can be heard on many tracks, with his poem “Departure” being used to open the group’s third studio album In Search Of The Lost Chord. The talented artist also wrote over 13 songs and often contributed to his bandmate’s solo work.

Edge formed The Moody Blues in Birmingham in 1964, the original lineup consisted of Keyboardist Mike Pinder, Multi-instrumentalist Ray Thomas, Denny Laine on guitar, Edge on drums and bassist Clint Warwick. The band went through a line-up change after their formation which included original members Pinder, Thomas, Edge as well as new members Justin Hayward on lead vocals and guitar and new bassist John Lodge. This lineup would remain throughout the 70s, an era now classed their classic and best-known period.

After their first performance in 1964, the group gained attention through their work in rhythm and blues music. They soon caught the attention of industry professionals and were signed to the management company Ridgepride. Alex Wharton, the company’s founder, was an A&R rep for Record Label Decca Records, the label then signed the band in 1964. In 1965 the group released their debut album The Magnificent Melodies which garnered the group considerable success. The group’s best-known track, “Nights In White Satin”, was included on the band’s second studio album Days Of Future Passed, released in 1967. The band would go on to release 14 more studio albums and eventually disbanded in 1974 but reunited in 1977.

After The Moody Blues’ hiatus Edge embarked on a trip around the world on his yacht Delia, Edge would find inspiration in the Greek Island of Corfu and would later use the musical influences in his work. After his voyage Edge released his solo work, his initial solo single “We Like To Do It/Shotgun” was released in 1974. The following year, Edge released his first solo album entitled Kick Off Your Muddy Boots with the single “The Tunnel/Bareback Rider”.

The artist’s second solo album Paradise Ballroom was released in 1977, Edge used his inspiration found on his trip within the album and fused Calypso and Salsa beats with his original sound. In the same year, the artist also released the single “Everybody Needs Somebody/Be My Eyes”. The solo material was released under Edge’s studio band The Graeme Edge Band, the group also included vocalist and guitarist Adrian Gurvitz and artist Paul Gurvitz.

Since the news of Edge’s death was confirmed tributes for the musician have poured in, with many citing him as an influence. Edge’s partner, Rilla Fleming has confirmed that the cause of death was metastatic cancer.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-moody-blues-drummer-graeme-edge-has-passed-away-aged-80/feed/ 0 10th Anniversary of Amy Winehouse Death Marked By Exhibition https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/10th-anniversary-of-amy-winehouse-death-marked-by-exhibition/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/10th-anniversary-of-amy-winehouse-death-marked-by-exhibition/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2021 00:31:43 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=37928 The iconic singer and talented artist Amy Winehouse passed away on the 23rd of July 2011, leaving two incredible albums ‘Frank’ and ‘Back to Black’ behind her. It’s been 10 years since her death, and a new photographic exhibition honours the late singer.

Phil Griffin is a photographer and music video director who worked with Winehouse on the videos for her second album Back to Black which featured hits including Rehab and Tears Dry On Their Own. Griffin set up the exhibition, which features photographs taken during the era of Back to Black, to encourage people to focus on the blues artist’s achievements rather than her notorious and tragic life story and death.

Griffin explained to the Guardian: “I want there to be a positive flow of conversation about her. She’s not just a tragic figure but a human being who was incredibly talented. She was a girl with a story to tell and she wasn’t afraid to tell it.”

In sharing some of the beautiful pictures taken during the shoots for the Back to Black music videos, Griffin hopes to show her as the artist she was not the tabloid headline she became, and he discusses how he thinks her life may have gone differently in an earlier age: “If she’d been born in a different age and was allowed to grow in the way that Diana Ross grew or the way that Ella Fitzgerald grew, she might still have remained a troubled figure, but I think we might still have her.”

Griffin is not the only person close to Amy who wants her story to be recast in a different light. Her family has also released a new documentary called Reclaiming Amy, which tells her story as a person, in contrast to the 2015 documentary Amy, which was critical of her family, and called ‘a disgrace’ by her father.

Griffin’s exhibition is titled ‘Amy in the Light’ and opens at the Brownsword Hepworth Gallery in Knightsbridge, London on 26th July. The exhibition is free to attend.

 

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/10th-anniversary-of-amy-winehouse-death-marked-by-exhibition/feed/ 0 Lupe Fiasco Delivers Touching Tribute To Recently Departed MF DOOM https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/lupe-fiasco-delivers-a-touching-tribute-to-recently-departed-mf-doom/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/lupe-fiasco-delivers-a-touching-tribute-to-recently-departed-mf-doom/#comments Fri, 01 Jan 2021 17:21:09 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=28995 American rapper Lupe Fiasco has released a memorable tribute to the iconic British rapper MF DOOM. News of MF DOOM’s death was shared by his family on social media yesterday (December 31st), having passed away on the 31st October 2020.

Lupe Fiasco released his tribute through a freestyle rap, in which he shared sorrow for MF DOOM’s passing, the contributions the departed artist made to the music industry, and the impact he has on Lupe Fiasco personally. Emotional and expressive, the closing lyrics captured the impact of MF DOOM’s passing; “Crying like a grown man… we’ll take it from here, look how far you brought us.”

Alongside the rap, Lupe Fiasco expressed his grief through a series of tweets.. “To whom it may concern: I ask and propose that from this point forward all rappers from everywhere and from every style and every level in the craft refer to ‘Similes’ as ‘Dumiles’ […] A small gesture for a fallen master. MF DOOM Folded hands,” the artist wrote in his first tweet.

He went onto express his personal gratitude to the departed rapper. “Thanx DOOM…I learned so much from you about the art of rapping. Studied and analysed you for years as recently as a few days ago. I wish I could’ve met you to tell you that. Folded hands…here’s some raps…rest easy…Amin…”

MF DOOM’s departure was announced publicly through Instagram by his wife Jasmine. “To Dumile. The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be,” she wrote.

“My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and adore you always. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet.”

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/lupe-fiasco-delivers-a-touching-tribute-to-recently-departed-mf-doom/feed/ 0 Sixties Music Legend Spencer Davies Dies Aged 81 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sixties-music-legend-spencer-davies-dies-aged-81/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sixties-music-legend-spencer-davies-dies-aged-81/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:10:31 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=24878 Spencer Davies, the Welsh guitarist belonging to the Spencer Davis Group and who helped popularise blues and RnB in the sixties, has died aged 81. He passed away on Monday after being treated for pneumonia in hospital.

The band formed in 1963 and have 2 number 1 hits in the UK. The group split in 1969 and then reformed in the mid 70’s and again in 2006 when they returned for an international tour. Along with other sixties popular bands, they had helped to popularise blues and RnB in the UK. Their hits included, ‘Gimmie some lovin,’ ‘Keep on helping,’ ‘Somebody Help Me’ and ‘I’m a Man.’

His Friend, Bob Birk who was a musician friend for more than 30 years told BBC News, “He was a very good friend. He was a highly ethical, very talented, good-hearted, extremely intelligent, generous man. He will be missed.” 

At the age of just 6, Davis learnt to play the harmonica and the accordion. After taking up the guitar, he formed his first band, ‘The Saints’ with Bill Wyman who later joined ‘The Rolling Stones.’ He moved to Birmingham for university and played America folk and Blues in bands. This led to the formation of the ‘Spencer Davies Group’ a rhythm and blues quartet with drummer Spencer Davies.

Their first chart toping hit, ‘Keep on Running’ was a cover song by Jack Edwards. It topped the charts in 1966, when it knocked the Beatles A sided single, ‘We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper,’ off the top chart spot. A telegram from The Beatles congratulated them from The BBC, “Congratulations on reaching number one – The Beatles.”

Some of their later chart hits including, ‘I’m a man’ and ‘Gimmie Some Lovin’ were covered by the Blues Brothers. The band also recorded the theme song for the children’s tv show, ‘Magpie’ under the pseudonym ‘The Murgatroyd Band.’ The Spencer Davies Group last hit, ‘I’m a Man’ reached the top 10 in the US and the UK in 1967.

The Spencer Davies Groups’ music is still popular today and is played frequently. Officialcharts.com have reported that they spent 3 weeks at number 1 with, ‘Keep On Running’ ‘Somebody Help Me’ and ‘March’ with 19 weeks in the top 10 and 55 weeks in the top 40.

Jim Simpson from Birmingham’s International Jazz Festival said on his passing, “I took Pete’s call half an hour ago and thought: What a shame.  Spencer was a lovely man – always very courteous and a purist about music. The Spencer Davis Group stuck more to the blues and never became a fully-fledged rock band. They had a residency at the sadly now demolished Golden Eagle on Hill Street and were originally called The Rhythm and Blues Quartet – a terrible name!” – Birmingham Live

1970,’s Spandau Ballet singer Gary Kemp paid tribute to the Davis tweeting, “He lead a magnificent band, one of the greats of the 60s, along with Muff and Steve Winwood. Keep in [sic] Running and Gimme Some Lovin’ were R&B classics. He drove soul into the white rock sound of the time.”

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sixties-music-legend-spencer-davies-dies-aged-81/feed/ 0 Tom Relleen of Tomaga Dies Aged 42 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tom-relleen-of-tomaga-dies-aged-42/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tom-relleen-of-tomaga-dies-aged-42/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2020 22:52:11 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=22154 It was reported yesterday by The Quietus that, sadly, Tom Relleen lost his battle with stomach cancer on 23rd August. He was ‘surrounded by loved ones‘ when he died in London’s St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Relleen was part of the experimental duo Tomaga, as well as a collaborator on projects like Autotelia and The Oscillation. His legacy will not be forgotten by his collaborators or his fans.

Relleen’s musical style is hard to describe. Comparisons to other ambient instrumentalists like Aphex Twin or Rothko can only go so far. His music with Tomaga ranges from relaxed tracks like Bluest that sounds like wind-chimes in the wind to more austere and disturbing ones like Senza. The latter could easily feature on a horror movie soundtrack, with the combination of a ticking clock and the abrasive scratching of a stringed instrument evoking a sense of impending doom.

His most recent project Autotelia, a collaboration with Demian Castellanos of The Oscillation, is more minimal and consistent in its style. Their first album, simply titled I, was released in July. It is an ambient five-track beauty that puts listeners in a trance using echoes and electronic sounds that ironically sound organic. 

The word Autotelia was coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalvi to describe people whose life purpose is internal rather than external. He argued that such people are not interested in ‘comfort, money, power or fame‘ but instead are driven simply by ‘curiosity‘.

This is a fitting name for a band whose music shows not only a disregard for the conventions of popular genres but also pushes sonic boundaries in such an inquisitive way. This is true of Relleen’s entire body of work. Since he started releasing music back in 2007 as part of The Oscillation, Relleen has experimented with unusual combinations of sound and syncopated rhythm.

His inquisitive nature will be remembered by his friends and fans. Many took to Twitter to share their sorrow at his passing, calling him a ‘generous‘ and ‘kind‘ man.Musical collaborator Castellanos called him a ‘beautiful, inspiring friend who helped, encouraged and motivated many people‘. Marie-Peirre Bonniol of the Julie Tippex agency said his musical endeavours ‘not only shaped the London scene but also the European one‘, continuing that he did much work ‘connecting people and organising collaborations‘. His was an unselfish and prolific career, that will not be soon forgotten.

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