This morning (November 22), influential Madchester band Inspiral Carpets delivered the sad news that their original drummer Craig Gill has passed away at the age of 44. He is survived by his wife and three children.
The band were a seminal part of the Manchester, UK-based baggy movement that swept the UK in the 1980s and '90s, alongside acts like the Happy Mondays, Stone Roses and the Charlatans. Oasis's Noel Gallagher famously got his start in the music industry as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets.
Gill's bandmates shared a statement about his death, saying they were "absolutely devastated by the news," referring to the drummer as their "brother" and "the beating heart of the Inspirals."
The full message reads:
It's with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our drummer and close friend, Craig Gill.
We are all absolutely devastated by the news. Craig was our brother.
We were honoured to work alongside him for the last 30 years.
To say that we'll miss him is an understatement.
He was the beating heart of the Inspirals in more ways than one.
Our love and thoughts go out to all of Craig's family and friends and especially his wife, Rose and their beautiful children, Georgia, Orla and Levon.
xxx
Clint, Graham, Martyn, Stephen
Other friends, collaborators and fans from the music community have also offered their condolences. Read some of those messages below.
The band were a seminal part of the Manchester, UK-based baggy movement that swept the UK in the 1980s and '90s, alongside acts like the Happy Mondays, Stone Roses and the Charlatans. Oasis's Noel Gallagher famously got his start in the music industry as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets.
Gill's bandmates shared a statement about his death, saying they were "absolutely devastated by the news," referring to the drummer as their "brother" and "the beating heart of the Inspirals."
The full message reads:
It's with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our drummer and close friend, Craig Gill.
We are all absolutely devastated by the news. Craig was our brother.
We were honoured to work alongside him for the last 30 years.
To say that we'll miss him is an understatement.
He was the beating heart of the Inspirals in more ways than one.
Our love and thoughts go out to all of Craig's family and friends and especially his wife, Rose and their beautiful children, Georgia, Orla and Levon.
xxx
Clint, Graham, Martyn, Stephen
Other friends, collaborators and fans from the music community have also offered their condolences. Read some of those messages below.
Stunned by the news of the death of Gilly my heart goes out to his family and band members LIVE FOREVER LG x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) November 22, 2016
Love going out to @inspiralsband. So sad to hear that Craig 'Gilly' Gill has passed away. Thoughts are with his family today. Tim x x
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) November 22, 2016
Father
— Stephen Holt (@StephenEHolt) November 22, 2016
Husband
Son
Brother
Friend x@CraigGillMMT @inspiralsband pic.twitter.com/8fJ6facE68
I've lost my partner in crime and partner in keeping time. RIP Craig Douglas Gill X pic.twitter.com/AiwAUML79B
— Martyn Walsh (@martynwalsh) November 22, 2016
