Mark Hollis, co-founder and frontman of art-rock outfit Talk Talk, has reportedly passed away. He was 64. Hollis’ death was confirmed by his cousin-in-law, author Anthony Costello.
Costello took to Twitter to shared a eulogy to the late musician, “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,” he wrote.
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
Talk Talk bassist Paul Webb took to Facebook to honour Hollis, “I am very shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mark Hollis. Musically he was a genius and it was an honour and a privilege to have been in a band with him. I have not seen Mark for many years, but like many musicians of our generation, I have been profoundly influenced by his trailblazing musical ideas. He knew how to create a depth of feeling with sound and space like no other. He was one of the greats, if not the greatest.”
https://www.facebook.com/RustinManOfficial/photos/a.1569717989794496/1701452219954405/?type=3&theater
H0llis’ death is yet to be confirmed by an official representative. His cause of death remains unknown.
Talk Talk reached global commercial success in the 80’s with a slew of songs such as ‘It’s My Life’, ‘Today’, ‘Talk Talk’ and ‘Life’s What You Make It’. Talk Talk disbanded in 1991. Hollis released his first and only solo album in 1998 before retiring from music.
Tributes to the late musician have started rolling in on Twitter, read some of them below.
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
Goodbye Mark Hollis,We owe you so much ,I cant overstate the influence on us three as musicians and us as a band.#markhollis #talktalk
— Doves (@dovesmusicblog) February 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/youarestars/status/1100104230398877697
RIP Mr. Hollis. The art you left us is truly unparalleled.#MarkHollis pic.twitter.com/bHsybKypbF
— Jake (the 80s & 90s never ended in my world) Rudh (@JakeRudh) February 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/ScaramangaJoe/status/1100115158305783808
In 1998, Mark Hollis' self-titled LP made songwriting seem like something every human being could and should do differently from every other one. Turned out true individuality wasn't so common. Spent so much time with his music, and selfishly always hoped more would come. RIP.
— frozen reeds (@frozenreeds) February 25, 2019
Watch: Talk Talk – It’s My Life
