Mark E Smith

[Eddie Strohacker]

I'm hearing Mark E Smith has passed away. Damn.

[gazza285]

Reports of his death were wrong first time round, but maybe not this time...

[Pupp]

Sobering news; grew up listening to Fall weirdness on John Peel's radio show largely... charismatic and enigmatic by equal measure. Maybe not the most accessible of artists but a massive influence to many. Not sure they make them like that any more...

Life leaves you surprised.
Slaps you in the eyes.

Totally wired indeed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m982l0HIMcY

Edited by Pupp on Wednesday 24th January 21:15

[edh]

.... A New Face In Hell (too soon?)

one of my favourites though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx48npNkabM

[Supercilious Sid]

Few were as joyously cantankerous . The Scapegoats did a very good line in Fall covers.

Edited by Supercilious Sid on Wednesday 24th January 21:19

[Fast and Spurious]

Very sad, that said I don't think he was ever going to live to 100!

Last saw him live about 20 years ago, completely hammered, but awesome.

Have a bit of this!!!! :
https://youtu.be/bTJdWN6BqwU

[anonymous-user]

Very sad.

Having a Fall retrospective on YouTube to commemorate.

Hit the North!

[anonymous-user]

He's been a part of my life for 34 years or so.

I knew he was ill, but it's a kick in nuts to hear the news.

Will be missed.

[Honk]

[otherman]

I've seen The Fall be so terrible I left, ordinary, good, and utterly amazing. The Manchester Cathedral gig in 2015 just blew the roof off. Best gig by anyone ever.

[anonymous-user]

otherman said:

I've seen The Fall be so terrible I left, ordinary, good, and utterly amazing. The Manchester Cathedral gig in 2015 just blew the roof off. Best gig by anyone ever.

I agree - saw them several times in the 80s/early 90s and they we often ste.

Last year in the Ritz they blew me away - one of the best gigs I have seen in years - such a shock and, given today, glad I made the effort to go after a couple of decades not bothering.

[vixen1700]

Sad.

[Too Drunk to Funk]

Sad news.

[stuartmmcfc]

The worlds a bit blander today.

[lockhart flawse]

Lots of people claim to be an individual but he truly was and for once I think it's true to say there will not be another like him.

Surprised he made it to 60.

Theme From Sparta F.C from the Complete Peel Sessions would be one of my Desert Island Discs

Edited by lockhart flawse on Thursday 25th January 11:36

[Halmyre]

My favourite Mark E Smith story:

http://thefall.org/news/000620.html said:

Help came from the most ridiculous of sources. "We were just f*ckin' around," recalls Smith. "Then f*ckin' Tamla Motown steam in! You know... about time we had another white act, ha ha! Dead funny. But they were pretty serious. I went to see them and everything. They had a pretty good lad in London who was well behind us. So they offered us a contract and this bloke in London goes, Have you got any LPs? So I said, I'll get a copy of "Hex Enduction Hour" to you." He creases up. "The Classical", first track of "Hex Enduction Hour" boasts the couplet: "Where are the obligatory n*ggers? / Hey there f*ck face! Hey there f*ck face!". The label that brought the world Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops and The Supremes listened no further, and the deal was off.

[WFL]

Not unexpected but somehow still a huge shock.

He is appreciated and he will be missed.

[dromong]

Sad news. Another Legend leaves the musical arena, truly unique Mark was. I remember one of the first cars I got after passing my test (309 GTi) had the Extricate tape in the player, didn't think I would be much into it being more a Metalhead but it really surprised me, chewed the thing up I played it that much!, Black Monk Theme pt 1 really stood out for me, now that track has some serious Groove!.

RIP Mark, and thanks for the soundtrack to my Puggin' days.

[otherman]

desolate said:

I agree - saw them several times in the 80s/early 90s and they we often ste.

Last year in the Ritz they blew me away - one of the best gigs I have seen in years - such a shock and, given today, glad I made the effort to go after a couple of decades not bothering.

The ritz gig when Cabbage supported? I had that down as one of the crap ones!

[anonymous-user]

otherman said:

The ritz gig when Cabbage supported? I had that down as one of the crap ones!

There you go!

I really enjoyed it - probably the best of 5 or 6 I have been to. The last one being early 90s, so perhaps I was just surprised that he could stand up.