Talk Talk star Mark Hollis died at the age of 64, Paul Webb confirmed in a poignant Facebook post. The musician, who is best known as the bassist of Talk Talk, who formed in 1981, told fans: “I am very shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mark Hollis. Musically he was a genius and it was a 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 depth of feeling with sound and space like no other. He was one of the greats, if not the greatest.”
Hollis’ cause of death has not yet been reported.
Talk Talk’s music video director Tim Pope also spoke out on social media following news of Hollis’ death, saying: “Goodbye Mark Hollis of Talk Talk. Condolences to his lovely family. We had many, many laughs together…”
Anthony Costello, believed to be Hollis’ cousin, first broke the news on Twitter, writing: “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 music icon.”
Talk Talk began as a four-piece, consisting of Hollis, Webb, Simon Brenner and Lee Harris.
Brenner left the group in 1983.
The band had success with hits including It’s My Life and Laughing Stock.
The The were among the first to pay tribute to Hollis, tweeting: “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.”
More to follow…