Martin Duffy, who played keyboard in Primal Scream and The Charlatans, dies aged 55
Martin Duffy, who played keyboard in Primal Scream and The Charlatans, has died at 55, his former bandmate Tim Burgess has announced.
Duffy was born in Birmingham in May 1967 and began his career as a member of indie pop band Felt.
He played on the first two albums by Scottish rockers Primal Scream before joining The Charlatans in 1996 following the death of original keyboard player Rob Collins.
Duffy, who attended St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in King’s Norton, also contributed keys to songs by Oasis, The Chemical Brothers and Beth Orton.
Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans, said on Twitter: “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. Hhe was a pleasure to spend time with.”
No cause of death was given.
Happy Mondays singer Rowetta shared a series of heartbreak emojis, while former Oasis guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs tweeted: “Sad sad news Tim.”
Gruff Rhys, singer for Welsh band Super Furry Animals, tweeted: “Martin Duffy’s music has been with me since the 1980s. I’m going to put some of his instrumental records on.”
Duffy joined Felt, pioneers of the so-called jangle pop genre, aged 16 after answering an advertisement placed by the group’s mononymous frontman Lawrence that read: “Do You Want To Be A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star?” He was also a member of rock supergroup The Chavs, formed in 2004 by former Libertines guitarist Carl Barat and Burgess alongside drummer Andy Burrows from Razorlight.
