808 State bassist Andrew Barker has died at the age of 53.
Barker’s bandmates announced the news on Sunday with a statement shared on Twitter.
They said: ‘It’s with a heavy heart to inform you of the passing of Andrew Barker.
‘His family and friends asks that people respect their privacy at this time but remember him for the joy he brought through his personality and music. You’ll be sadly missed.’
A cause of death was not given.
Happy Mondays singer Rowetta led tributes for Barker and tweeted: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking news. Love you & will miss you Andy Barker.’
Reacting to the news, one fan tweeted: ‘So sad to hear this, another unsung Manchester music man, and superb DJ..from the all nighters at Soundgarden, spinmasters, the brilliant Tuesday night Sunset radio sessions, all the 808 state gigs top Manchester Music man the music will never die RIP Sir xxx.’
Another said: ‘Such sad news, sending my best to his friends & family. I’ve just repurchased a copy of this and will blast it out in his memory today.’
Barker was one half of acid house pioneers 808 State, which was originally formed by Graham Massey, Martin Price and Gerald Simpson in 1988. Barker and Darren Partington, known as the Spinmasters, joined the group the following year after Simpson quit to start his solo project, A Guy Called Gerald.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=tLxDRePUwEY
Partington also left the band in 2015 due to a jail stint.
808 State released their debut album Newbuild in 1988 and went on to release an additional five studio albums. They have collaborated with the likes of Bjork, Guy Garvery and Bernard Sumner. The group are best known for songs such as Pacific State, In Yer Face and The Only Rhyme That Bites.
Their last album, Transmission Suite, was released in 2019.
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