Richard H. Kirk — founder of the deeply influential Sheffield industrial band Cabaret Voltaire — has died at 65 years old.
Kirk's passing was confirmed by his label Mute, though no cause of death has been released.
With an original lineup of Kirk, Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson, the drummerless Cabaret Voltaire formed in 1973 and melded the worlds of experimental electronics, industrial, post-punk, and a twisted sort of dance-pop, relying heavily on the Farfisa drum machine.
Kirk began a solo career in 1980 with Disposable Half-Truths and released solo music alongside Cabaret Voltaire until the group disbanded in 1994.
Kirk released an immense amount of music in his time, exploring the boundaries of electronic experimentation and dance music.
His last record under his own name was 2017's Dasein, while Cabaret Voltaire — operating as a Kirk solo project — shared Shadow of Fear in 2020 and two drone records, Dekadrone and BN9Drone, in 2021.
Read Mute's announcement below.
Kirk's passing was confirmed by his label Mute, though no cause of death has been released.
With an original lineup of Kirk, Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson, the drummerless Cabaret Voltaire formed in 1973 and melded the worlds of experimental electronics, industrial, post-punk, and a twisted sort of dance-pop, relying heavily on the Farfisa drum machine.
Kirk began a solo career in 1980 with Disposable Half-Truths and released solo music alongside Cabaret Voltaire until the group disbanded in 1994.
Kirk released an immense amount of music in his time, exploring the boundaries of electronic experimentation and dance music.
His last record under his own name was 2017's Dasein, while Cabaret Voltaire — operating as a Kirk solo project — shared Shadow of Fear in 2020 and two drone records, Dekadrone and BN9Drone, in 2021.
Read Mute's announcement below.
It is with great sadness that we confirm our great & dear friend, Richard H. Kirk has passed away. Richard was a towering creative genius who led a singular & driven path throughout his life & musical career. We will miss him so much. We ask that his family are given space.
