Steve Mackey, the bassist for Pulp, has passed away at the age of 56, his family has announced. After joining Pulp in 1989, the Sheffield musician contributed to hits including Common People, Disco 2000, and Lipgloss.
Thursday, his wife Katie announced on social media that he had been hospitalized for three months with an unspecified ailment.
“We are stunned and grieved by the loss of my smart and handsome husband,” she added.
“Steve was the most gifted individual I’ve ever met; he was an incredible musician, producer, photographer, and filmmaker.
“As in life, he was adored by those whose paths he crossed in the various artistic fields he mastered.
“I would want to convey my deepest gratitude to everyone at the NHS who worked diligently for Steve. He will be profoundly missed.”
Shortly thereafter, Pulp released their own tribute, alerting fans that their “beloved” bassist had passed suddenly on Thursday morning.
They released a snapshot of the musician from their 2012 tour enjoying a day off in the snowy Andes.
The band stated,
“We had a day off, and Steve suggested we go rock climbing.” “Consequently, we did so, and it was a very beautiful experience.
“Much more enchanted than staring at the hotel wall all day, which is likely what we would have done in its absence.
“Steve was an agent of change, both in his personal life and inside the band. We’d like to believe that he’s currently back in those mountains, continuing his journey.”
This summer, Pulp is scheduled to do a series of reunion concerts.
Mackey informed his supporters that he has decided to focus on his “music, filmmaking, and photography projects” instead of participating in the shows.
Massive Attack, another successful British artist of the 1990s, paid respect by posting a black-and-white photo of Mackey and quoting a phrase from his band’s song Sorted For E’s & Wizz.
The musician was born in Sheffield in 1966 and attended school with Richard Hawley, another Pulp member.
In 1989, a decade into the band’s history, he joined and made his debut on their third album, Separations.
After signing to Island Records in the early 1990s, the band achieved mainstream success with classic albums such as His ‘N’ Hers and Different Class, and frontman Jarvis Cocker became one of the most beloved figures of the Britpop era.
Mackey told Pulp’s official website in 1996 that he had relished the ups and downs of stardom.
“I believe that if you are in a popular band, you should enjoy it,” he remarked.
“We’ve always wanted to do that, and I don’t see anything wrong with being silly. You would be wasting a magnificent opportunity; you might as well remain a librarian for the rest of your life.”
Mackey co-wrote and produced songs for artists such as MIA (Galang, Sunshowers), Florence + The Machine (Kiss With A Fist), and Arcade Fire after the band went on a sabbatical in 2002. (Everything Now).
He also appeared as one of The Weird Sisters in the 2005 film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, alongside Jarvis Cocker and Radiohead members Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway.
Promotion and art exhibitions
In the summer of 2023, Pulp is slated to perform at a number of festivals, including Isle of Wight, Latitude, and Trnsmt.
In addition, he photographed and directed campaign photos and moving advertisements for numerous top companies, including Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, and Armani.
Also, In addition to reuniting with Pulp for their 2012 reunion, Mackey co-curated London’s Frieze Art Show for several years in the 2000s.
In 2009, he married stylist and magazine creator Katie Grand. Mackey also leaves behind his 1996-born son, Marley.
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