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Martin Duffy Dies At Age 55- What Was His Death Cause? What Happened?
PRIMAL Scream legend Martin Duffy has died aged 55.
The musician played keyboard for the band, featuring on their debut 1987 album Sonic Flower Groove.
When The Charlatans backed Oasis at Knebworth in 1996, he also stepped in at the last minute to assist them after founding member Rob Collins passed away.
Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie said the following in remembrance: “Hard to write this. Other than using polite platitudes, we never know how to talk about death. All I want to say is that Martin Duffy, our soul brother, died on Sunday.
He fell at home in Brighton and sustained a head injury. Primal Scream is very depressed right now.
“Martin is someone I’ve known since he was a youngster in Felt. From the very first to the very last record we released, he played keyboards. In 1991, I formally joined the band.
“Martin was a very special character. He had a love and understanding of music on a deep spiritual level. Music meant everything to him. He loved literature and was well read and erudite.”
Gillespie said Duffy had been “an autodidact” and “a deep thinker” who was “curious about the world and other cultures”.
He concluded: “He lived to laugh and play music. He was loved by all of us in the Scream. A beautiful soul. We will miss him.”
The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess said: “Another tragic loss of a beautiful soul.
“Martin Duffy stepped in to save The Charlatans when we lost Rob – he played with us at Knebworth and was a true friend.
“He toured with me in my solo band too – he was a pleasure to spend time with. Safe travels Duffy.”
Oasis star Liam Gallagher also paid tribute, saying: “RIP Duffy Primal Scream dya know what I mean.”
Birmingham-born Duffy started his music career aged 16 when he joined Indie band Felt.
Before joining on a full-time basis, he initially played keyboard for Primal Scream on a part-time basis.
Duffy spent thirty years with the group and made a special appearance on leader Bobby Gillespie’s album Utopian Ashes in 2020.
He contributed to The Charlatans’ 1997 album Tellin’ Stories in addition to performing with them live.
It is unknown what caused the death.
Tragically, Terry Hall, a fellow celebrity from the band The Specials, passed away following a “brief illness.”
In an emotional tribute from his former bandmates, the ska legend was referred to as “the most genuine of souls.”