LD Beghtol — a collaborator with the Magnetic Fields who sung some of 69 Love Songs' greatest moments — has died. The Magnetic Fields broke the sad news this morning, revealing Beghtol had passed away on Monday (December 7). While a cause of death is currently unclear, he would have been 55 or 56.
"It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday that our bandmate and friend LD Beghtol has passed away," the band wrote on Twitter. "LD sang several songs on 69 Love Songs, and also designed the covers and booklet art for the 3-disc set. LD also made the book 69 Love Songs: A Field Guide (33 1/3)."
They added: "LD has participated in various other musical collaborations with Stephin Merritt over the years, including several hilarious concerts by The Three Terrors, with Dudley Kludt. He will be missed."
Beghtol also was a founding member of the group Flare (a.k.a. Flare Acoustic Arts League), as well as the group LD & the New Criticism.
Outside music, Beghtol worked as a designer and art director at publications such as The Village Voice. He also wrote for the likes of Time Out New York, The Advocate and The Oxford American.
"It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday that our bandmate and friend LD Beghtol has passed away," the band wrote on Twitter. "LD sang several songs on 69 Love Songs, and also designed the covers and booklet art for the 3-disc set. LD also made the book 69 Love Songs: A Field Guide (33 1/3)."
They added: "LD has participated in various other musical collaborations with Stephin Merritt over the years, including several hilarious concerts by The Three Terrors, with Dudley Kludt. He will be missed."
Among Beghtol's several vocal contributions to the classic 1999 album 69 Love Songs were such tracks as "All My Little Words," "The Way You Say Good-Night" and "My Sentimental Melody." Beyond that album, Beghtol collaborated with Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt on a variety of projects, such as with the late singer's Moth Wranglers band, as well as the Three Terrors.LD has participated in various other musical collaborations with Stephin Merritt over the years, including several hilarious concerts by The Three Terrors, with Dudley Kludt. He will be missed.
— The Magnetic Fields (@TheMagFields) December 8, 2020
Beghtol also was a founding member of the group Flare (a.k.a. Flare Acoustic Arts League), as well as the group LD & the New Criticism.
Outside music, Beghtol worked as a designer and art director at publications such as The Village Voice. He also wrote for the likes of Time Out New York, The Advocate and The Oxford American.