Hardy Fox — the chief composer, producer and co-founder of avant-garde music legends the Residents — has died. Following a battle with brain cancer, Fox has succumbed disease, the band revealed last night (October 30). He was 73.
In a post on Fox's personal website, the message explains that he lost his battle to brain cancer, explaining that in 2018, "Hardy no longer records anything at all. That era ended. Perhaps even death was not the reason. He was thinking more and more that he had completed his personal expectations."
In another statement, the Residents themselves wrote the following:
It is with with great sorrow and regret that The Cryptic Corporation announces the passing of longtime associate, Hardy Fox. As president of the corporation from 1982-2016, the company benefited from Hardy's instinct for leadership and direction, but his true value came from his longtime association with The Residents. As the group's producer, engineer, as well as collaborator on much of their material, Fox's influence on The Residents was indelible; despite any formal training, his musicality was nevertheless unique, highly refined and prolific. Blessed with a vital sense of aesthetics, a keen ear, and an exquisite love of the absurd, Hardy's smiling face was a constant source of joy to those around him. He will be missed.
After a series of recent health problems, Hardy succumbed to a brief illness. He is survived by his husband, Steven Kloman.
Fox grew up in Texas before he moved to San Francisco, eventually co-founding the Residents in 1969. Fox went on to serve as the band's primary composer for decades, but with the Residents keeping anonymous identities under their signature eyeball masks, he never revealed his true identity and role in the band until 2017.
Fox retired from the Residents in 2015, but he continued to compose music after his departure.
In addition to his work with the Residents, he has recorded as a solo artist under various names including Charles Bobuck, Combo de Mechanico, Sonido de la Noche, Chuck and TAR, among others.
In a post on Fox's personal website, the message explains that he lost his battle to brain cancer, explaining that in 2018, "Hardy no longer records anything at all. That era ended. Perhaps even death was not the reason. He was thinking more and more that he had completed his personal expectations."
In another statement, the Residents themselves wrote the following:
It is with with great sorrow and regret that The Cryptic Corporation announces the passing of longtime associate, Hardy Fox. As president of the corporation from 1982-2016, the company benefited from Hardy's instinct for leadership and direction, but his true value came from his longtime association with The Residents. As the group's producer, engineer, as well as collaborator on much of their material, Fox's influence on The Residents was indelible; despite any formal training, his musicality was nevertheless unique, highly refined and prolific. Blessed with a vital sense of aesthetics, a keen ear, and an exquisite love of the absurd, Hardy's smiling face was a constant source of joy to those around him. He will be missed.
After a series of recent health problems, Hardy succumbed to a brief illness. He is survived by his husband, Steven Kloman.
Fox grew up in Texas before he moved to San Francisco, eventually co-founding the Residents in 1969. Fox went on to serve as the band's primary composer for decades, but with the Residents keeping anonymous identities under their signature eyeball masks, he never revealed his true identity and role in the band until 2017.
Fox retired from the Residents in 2015, but he continued to compose music after his departure.
In addition to his work with the Residents, he has recorded as a solo artist under various names including Charles Bobuck, Combo de Mechanico, Sonido de la Noche, Chuck and TAR, among others.
