Roy Jurgens on February 25th, 2019

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Post-rock pioneer Mark Hollis has died at age 64, according to multiple reports. Hollis led Talk Talk from 1981-92, producing five landmark albums, “The Party’s Over,” “It’s my Life,” “The Colour of Spring,” “Spirit of Eden” and “Laughing Stock,” along the way. His passing was confirmed by Talk Talk bassist Paul Webb via Facebook.

Their hits included “It’s my Life,” “Talk Talk,” “Such a Shame” and “Laughing Stock.” While they began as just another New Romantic synthpop act, by the end of their career they were lauded as primary vanguards for what would become a post-rock movement that included luminaries such as Sigur Rós, The Verve and Radiohead. Bands such as Tears for Fears, Matthew Good, Death Cab for Cutie, Placebo, Elbow and Mars Volta all cite Talk Talk as having been influential to their careers.

Having battled heroically with EMI, Hollis was lauded as an artist who did not compromise or give in to corporate and commercial interests. Talk Talk were sued by their label for “Spirit of Eden,” a beautifully esoteric album that EMI did not consider to be of a commercially satisfactory nature. The lawsuit was eventually thrown out but set a precedent for clauses in record contracts that are still used today. Hollis went on to record one intimate and stirring solo album in 1998 before largely retiring from the music industry to be with his family.

No Doubt had a Billboard top 10 single with their cover of “It’s My Life” in 2003. Weezer covered their hit “Life’s What You Make It” in 2008. Talk Talk played the Greek Theater in 1984 and the Hollywood Palladium in 1982.