Gang of Four’s Andy Gill dies at age 64

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Andy Gill with Gang of Four at the Echo in December 2015 (Photo by Michelle Shiers)

Andy Gill, the guitarist and co-founder of influential post-punk warriors Gang of Four, has died at age 64. According to representatives of the band, he passed away in a London hospital after a short respiratory illness.

Over four decades (spanning two periods the band was on hiatus), Gill piloted Gang of Four through 10 albums, his minimalist, abrasive guitar licks complementing the music’s socially and politically biting lyrics. Gang of Four’s debut “Entertainment!,” now just past its 40th anniversary, is recognized as one of the greatest punk albums of all time.

John Sherry, Tobias Humble and Thomas McNeice, Gill’s bandmates for the past four years, issued this statement on Gang of Four’s social media channels:

This is so hard for us to write, but our great friend and Supreme Leader has died today.

Andy’s final tour in November was the only way he was ever really going to bow out; with a Stratocaster around his neck, screaming with feedback and deafening the front row.

His uncompromising artistic vision and commitment to the cause meant that he was still listening to mixes for the upcoming record, whilst planning the next tour from his hospital bed.

But to us, he was our friend – and we’ll remember him for his kindness and generosity, his fearsome intelligence, bad jokes, mad stories and endless cups of Darjeeling tea. He just so happened to be a bit of a genius, too.

One of the best to ever do it, his influence on guitar music and the creative process was inspiring for us, as well as everyone who worked alongside him and listened to his music. And his albums and production work speak for themselves. Go give ’em a spin for him …

Love you mate.

Even with Gill as the lone remaining member, Gang of Four were favorites every time they visited Southern California.

Besides his involvement for Gang of Four, Gill was widely respected for his production work, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ debut album and LPs by the Futureheads, the Jesus Lizard, Michael Hutchence and Killing Joke among his credits.