Mark Stewart, founding member and lead singer of The Pop Group, has passed away at the age of 62, according to his record label.
Mute Records announced in a statement that the singer passed away early on Friday morning.
Stewart was called a “dear friend, fellow activist, and creative force of nature.”
In Bristol in 1977, the artist and political activist founded the rock ensemble The Pop Group as a teenager.
Alongside John Waddington, Simon, Gareth Sager, and Bruce Smith, he performed.
The Pop Group released their debut album, Y, in 1979, followed by the anthems She is Beyond Good and Evil and We Are All Prostitutes, and their second album, For How Much Longer Will We Tolerate Murder? in 1980.
They were recognized for their post-punk, reggae, free jazz, and avant-garde musical experimentation.
The group disbanded in 1981 and reunited in 2010 nearly 30 years later.
Citizen Zombie, which was produced by Paul Epworth, was released in 2015. In 2015 and 2016, they released Honeymoon on Mars, which was produced by Dennis Bovell and Hamk Shocklee.
“Like nothing else” was followed by worldwide tours and a reissue of album Y to commemorate the band’s 40th anniversary in 2019, followed by Y in Dub in 2021.
Mute released the following statement in tribute to the Bristol-born singer:
“Knowing Mark, working with him, laughing with him, and pondering with him was like nothing else.
“His incredibly self-assured and commanding demeanor was coupled with a sensitive, warm, creative, inquisitive, intellectual, and hilarious personality.
They added,
“He was always vocally on the side of the oppressed and did everything he could to ensure people were treated fairly.”
According to the eulogy, Mr. Stewart questioned everything and was “not just concerned for the underdog; he wanted everyone to have a voice and a chance.”
Massive Attack expressed their condolences in a tweet that read,
“Post-punk pioneer and original chief musician. RIP Mark Stewart. Never again will Bristol be the same.”
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