Steve Mackey joined Pulp in the late 1980s and ascended to prominence as the group’s fourth and fifth albums, His ‘N’ Hers and Different Class, achieved success in the 1990s. The band said in an emotional tribute to the musician, “We expect to see you again one day.”
Steve Mackey, the bassist for Pulp, passed away at the age of 56, the band announced, paying tribute to a “cherished friend” who “made things happen.”
The Sheffield band, which rose to fame in the 1990s with His ‘N’ Hers and Different Class, announced the musician’s death on Thursday. Katie, Mackey’s wife, posted a tribute on his Instagram page and revealed that he had been hospitalized for three months.
Sharing a photograph on Instagram taken on a tour in 2012, the band said: “Our cherished friend & bass player Steve Mackey passed away this morning. Our condolences go out to his family and cherished ones.
“This photograph of Steve dates from Pulp’s 2012 South American tour.” We had a day off & Steve suggested we go climbing in the Andes. So we did.”
The tribute continued, describing the trek as “an entirely magical experience” that was “far more magical than staring at the hotel room wall all day (which is likely what we would have done otherwise).
“Steve caused events to occur. In his life and with the band, we hope he’s back in the mountains on his next trip.
“Fair travels, Steve. We hope to see you again one day.”
Mackey joined Pulp, led by Jarvis Cocker, in the late 1980s, in time for their third album, Separations. His ‘N’ Hers, the band’s fourth album, was released in 1994 and was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Two years later, the fifth album Different Class – featuring songs including Common People, Something Changes, Disco 2000, Mis-Shapes, and Sorted For E’s & Wizz – went on to win the prestigious award.
Common People also garnered the band an Ivor Novello award in 1996, and the Ivor’s Academy honored them in 2017 for their outstanding song collection.
In 1995, the band replaced The Stone Roses as the headliners of the Glastonbury Festival and went on to perform one of the festival’s most memorable sets. In 2011, after a hiatus, their “secret” return performance attracted one of the largest crowds ever to the festival’s Park Stage.
Cocker announced in 2022 that the band would be performing live in 2023, with appearances at festivals such as the Isle Of Wight and concerts in London and Sheffield scheduled for the summer.
Mackey announced at the time that, despite the band being “a very important part of my creative life… and I’m extremely proud of the body of work we’ve created together,” he would not be participating in the reunion performances.
He stated that he would instead focus on his other musical, cinematic, and photographic endeavors. Wishing Candy, Nick, Mark, and Jarvis the very best with forthcoming performances in the UK and also an enormous thanks to Pulp’s incredible fanbase, many of whom have sent me beautiful messages,” he said in a statement.
In addition to his work with Pulp, Mackey was a producer who collaborated with artists like MIA, Arcade Fire, and Florence + The Machine.
In her eulogy, his wife Katie said, “After three months in the hospital, where he fought with all of his strength and resolve, we are shocked and devastated to have lost my brilliant, beautiful spouse, Steve Mackey.
“Steve passed away today, a loss that has left me, his son Marley, his parents Kath and Paul, his sister Michelle, and a great number of his acquaintances heartbroken. Steve was the most gifted individual I’ve ever met; he was an exceptional musician, producer, photographer, and filmmaker.
“As in life, he was adored by everyone whose pathways he crossed in the many creative disciplines he mastered. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at the NHS who labored tirelessly for Steve. He will be sorely missed.”
Bandmate Nick Banks also paid tribute, describing Mackey as a “brilliantly talented individual” who “fought so valiantly to remain with us.
