The Fall’s Mark E. Smith Dies After Months Of Dealing With ‘Bizarre And Rare Medical Issues’

Mark E. Smith, leader of the UK post-punk group The Fall, has been dealing with serious health problems for months now, and sadly, the worst has happened: Smith has passed away at 60 years old.

The band’s manager Pam Van Damned has shared a brief statement that reads:

“It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E. Smith. He passed this morning at home. A more detailed statement will follow in the next few days. In the meantime, Pam and Mark’s family request privacy at this sad time.”

Last year, Smith had a tooth removed due to an abscess, which led to respiratory problems — or “bizarre and rare medical issues,” as Van Damned previously put it — that he had been trying to manage since. This led to canceled shows from The Fall towards the end of last year, and Smith said at the time:

“A Message to All, to All. From Mark E. Smith/The Fall group. As I, like Pr Rupert leave Bristol with my tail between my legs, I wish to give my great apologies to everybody. This idiotic idea to do both shows was purely my idea, against the advice of Pamela and The Fall group, agent & promoter. Hope to replace shows within 4 — 6 weeks. In the interim we have eight new songs ready to go and will try and let you hear a few before Christmas.

“From head patient to you, the patients. I love you all but cannot embrace you all, Mark E. Smith.”

In a separate statement that accompanied the news of more canceled shows in December, Smith said, “BACK SOONER THAN LATER PALS!!! M.E.S. Shock House Now, Woodpecker, Peon Son… titles that await!”

Right until the end, Smith, who was known as a big personality, was one of the more productive musicians of the past 40 years: In July 2017, The Fall released New Facts Emerge, their 32nd album.