Talk Talk Frontman Mark Hollis Has Died (Updated)
Image via EMI America/YouTube
Update, Feb. 26: Mark Hollis’ longtime manager Keith Aspden has confirmed the Talk Talk frontman’s death “after a short illness,” according to NPR Music.
Hollis’ longtime manager Keith Aspden confirmed Tuesday that Hollis died after a short illness: “I can’t tell you how much Mark influenced and changed my perceptions on art and music. I’m grateful for the time I spent with him and for the gentle beauty he shared with us.”
— NPR Music (@nprmusic) February 26, 2019
Original Story: Mark Hollis, most notably known as the singer and co-founder of the English post-rock outfit Talk Talk, has been reported dead at 64, per NME and numerous other outlets.
Talk Talk was formed in 1981 by Hollis, Lee Harris and Paul Webb. Notable Talk Talk singles include “It’s My Life,” “Talk Talk,” “Dum Dum Girl” and “Such a Shame.”
Following the band’s official disbandment in the early ‘90s, Hollis began his solo career in 1998 with the release of his self-titled debut solo album. Hollis later retired from the music industry.
Although Hollis’ representatives have yet to confirm reports of his death, social media is awash with tributes to the musician, including posts from English post-punks The The, author Anthony Costello and Talk Talk music video director Tim Pope, not to mention Webb (who performs solo as Rustin Man).
Message from Paul Webb, Talk Talk’s bassist, posted about Mark Hollis on Facebook pic.twitter.com/zcCPmRa5pX
— Martin Belam (@MartinBelam) February 25, 2019
Very sorry to hear the news that #MarkHollis of #TalkTalk has died. He was behind some of the finest albums of the 1980s / early 1990s. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/IoTuAkGCUf
— THE THE (@thethe) February 25, 2019
RIP Mark Hollis. Cousin-in-law. Wonderful husband and father. Fascinating and principled man. Retired from the music business 20 years ago but an indefinable musical icon.
Talk Talk – It’s My Life (Live at Montreux 1986) https://t.co/eGRfLWHt6r— Anthony Costello (@globalhlthtwit) February 25, 2019
Goodbye to Mark Hollis of Talk Talk. Condolences to his lovely family. We had many, many laughs together. This is us being the nightmare interview from hell https://t.co/xzqfQnN4P6
— Tim Pope (@timpopedirector) February 25, 2019
Mark Hollis was a spirit whisperer and keeper of a secret garden. pic.twitter.com/OCBXisldzl
— JAGJAGUWAR (@jagjaguwar) February 25, 2019
We’ll update this post with further information as it becomes available. In the meantime, see Hollis star in Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life” video below.