The Pop Group’s Mark Stewart dies at the age of 62
The Pop Group’s Mark Stewart dies at age 62 as his bandmates pay tribute to the ‘confident’ singer
Mark Stewart, founder and frontman of The Pop Group, has passed away at the age of 62 and sincere tributes are pouring in for the singer.
The post-punk pioneer died in the early hours of Friday, according to a statement from his record label Mute Records.
He was described as a “best friend” and a “creative force of nature” with a “sensitive character” and his bandmates and fellow musicians rushed to honor him.
Announcing the sad news, a statement from Mute read: “Knowing Mark, working with him, laughing with him and thinking with him was like nothing else.
His immensely confident and domineering presence was coupled with a sensitive, warm, creative, inquisitive, intelligent and hilarious nature – qualities often hidden from the first encounter with this towering feat.
Sad news: Mark Stewart, founding member and frontman of The Pop Group, has passed away at age 62 and heartfelt tributes have poured in for the singer
Musician: The artist founded rock band The Pop Group in Bristol in 1977 as a teenager, along with John Waddington, Simon Underwood, Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith
“He was always, vocally, on the side of the downtrodden and did everything he could to make sure people were treated right.
He questioned everything that was said and, in his political beliefs and in support of others, Mark not only looked out for the underdog, he intended for everyone to have a voice, for everyone to have a chance. Oppression is the enemy.’
“The world has changed thanks to Mark Stewart, it will never be the same without him,” it concluded.
The statement added that Mark’s family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
As a teenager, the artist founded the rock band The Pop Group in Bristol in 1977 with his friends John Waddington and Simon Underwood.
Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith later joined the group to complete the lineup and the band became known for rejecting conventional authority in their music.
His bandmate Gareth paid tribute to the “amazing” musician, while music producers Daniel Miller and Adrian Sherwood also shared heartfelt words.
“Mark was the most amazing mind of my generation, RIP,” guitarist Gareth wrote.
Adam, whom Mark collaborated with on the 1983 album Learning To Cope With Cowardice, described him as “the greatest musical influence on my life.”
‘Thank you my brother. You were the biggest musical influence in my life and our extended family will miss you dearly. Love forever,’ he said.
Taking inspiration from dub and reggae, The Pop Group became a time-defining post-punk band after releasing their debut album Y in 1979.
Loss: The post-punk pioneer (pictured in February 2016) died in the early hours of Friday, according to a statement from his record label Mute Records
Tributes: He was described as a “best friend” and a “creative force of nature” with a “sensitive character” and his bandmates and fellow musicians rushed to pay him tribute
The pop group disbanded after one last performance during a nuclear disarmament (CND) campaign in 1980.
Political activist Mark then went on to work closely with CND and launched a successful solo career, which lasted for the next three decades.
In 2010, The Pop Group reformed for a series of live performances and recorded two studio albums.
Mark’s last performance with the band was in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral at the invitation of Terry Hall for Coventry UK City of Culture 2021.