Mark Hollis 1955 – 2019

Mark Hollis frontman of the new wave band TALK TALK has passed away at age 64. Today the music world has lost a pioneer and legend. -DjPaulT

Talk Talk’s influence upon musicians has exceeded the band’s visibility among the general public. Along with the band Slint, Talk Talk is credited with inventing “post-rock” in their last two albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock. The artists who have praised the band or cited them as an influence include Tears for Fears, Matthew Good, Elbow, Shearwater, M83, Bark Psychosis, Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta, Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, Storm Corrosion (a joint project between Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt and Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson), Steve Hogarth of Marillion, Richard Barbieri of Japan and Porcupine Tree, and Death Cab for Cutie.

The bands Placebo, Weezer, The Divine Comedy and The Gathering covered their song “Life’s What You Make It” and No Doubt scored a global hit with a cover of “It’s My Life” in 2003. Guy Garvey of the band Elbow said: “Mark Hollis started from punk and by his own admission he had no musical ability. To go from only having the urge, to writing some of the most timeless, intricate and original music ever is as impressive as the moon landings for me.”

A tribute album and anthological book, both titled Spirit of Talk Talk, were released in 2012. The book includes all the artwork James Marsh did for the band, and hand-written lyrics (by the band). The album includes covers by various artists, proceeds going to the conservation organization BirdLife International.

Hollis and Talk Talk continue to be praised as artists who did not cave into the pressures of corporate and commercial interests. Says Alan McGee, “I find the whole story of one man against the system in a bid to maintain creative control incredibly heartening.” – source Wikipedia

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Miguel Aires
Miguel Aires
March 3, 2019 8:26 pm

Great voice. My heart is break. Mark Hollis is an unforgettable artist from my generation.
Rest in peace Mark. Love you forever. I’m so sad…

mothloop
mothloop
February 27, 2019 3:30 pm

What a shame all the heroes we have been losing.

Raymond
Raymond
February 27, 2019 1:29 am

RIP…

Guido Quiller
Guido Quiller
February 26, 2019 2:14 pm

Do you know when a sound remains in you and you don’t know why? This is for me the sound of Talk Talk. I’m a progressive rock addicted. A few time ago discussing with a friend of mine I was thinking on what would be my favourite album ever and the answer was “Billy Idol’s “Cyberpunk”: very, very far from the music I love, but I can sing every track and I don’t know why it remained in me so deep; same with Talk Talk music. I found myself singing in my mind “Reneé” without a why and I discovered… Read more »

Auke
Auke
February 26, 2019 11:42 am

Such a shame that he left us so soon.
I heard it yesterday and have been listening to his voice on my way to work today.

It’s my life
such a shame
dum dum girl
My foolish friend
Talk Talk
By playing these songs he will never be forgotten.

Mark
Mark
February 26, 2019 8:55 am

One of my favourite vocalists. May he rest in peace.

Jeff
Jeff
February 26, 2019 5:12 am

I didn’t get the news until last night. Paul, I’m glad I heard about it through your website first. It is so sad. All of the artists that have left an impression on me are passing away. This is very, very sad news.

Jeff

Andrew
Andrew
February 26, 2019 3:17 am

Colour of Spring is one of my Top 10 albums ever and hearing their progression from 1982 to 1991 you would not know it is same band. You can’t say that about too many bands in a 10 year period, But beyond the music, I appreciate that they took on the music business and won!! Talk Talk really took on the record industry with lawsuits against EMI in 1991 for the remix album attributed to the band. They won their lawsuit and EMI had to withdraw the album and pay fees. This is what Hollis said about the un-authorized remixes:… Read more »

maturin
maturin
February 26, 2019 2:40 am

Thanks for the tribute…. very, very appreciated.
This music will always mean a lot to me, but when I first heard it (Spirit Of Eden in particular), it’s value was indescribable.
It was like this well produced nugget of poetry was put out to the public and left for like minded people to find.
I have loved and followed the legacy of this great band and songwriter ever since.
Hollis was one in a million.

Richard
Richard
February 25, 2019 11:58 pm

Personally Talk Talk had a sound that defined the 80s for me. “I Don’t Believe In You” is one of my favorite songs from that era and possibly of all time. The slow pained vocals echoing the disintegration of a relationship punctuated by the tortured wail of the distorted guitar so perfectly captured the essence of the emotions. And of course the masterpiece “It’s My Life” expressing the desire for independence and freedom with such a driving melodic chorus underpinned by the drama of synthesizers. The song had such a grandiose scale to it.

A sad day indeed.

Todd
Todd
February 25, 2019 8:55 pm

Such a loss. So many great tunes from Talk Talk. He had such a unique singing style and it worked perfectly in the band’s songs.

Omar
Omar
February 25, 2019 8:47 pm

Very sad. First Pete Shelley and now Mark. Two new wave legends gone.

Paul
Paul
February 25, 2019 8:34 pm

A Truly Sad Day

Guss
Guss
February 25, 2019 8:32 pm

Very sad news…😢

80s pornstar
80s pornstar
February 25, 2019 4:52 pm

Oh my…, I was just listening on my iPod “Today” on my way to work this morning. R.I.P. Mark. Will be missed.

carsten hansen
carsten hansen
February 25, 2019 4:02 pm

Im in shock,and i`m starting to getting old

10-15 years ago it was my father `s heroes and now my heroes Pete burns,Steve Strange and now our friend Mark

Song And Dance
Song And Dance
February 25, 2019 3:28 pm

I am shocked. Just shocked. For lack of words I will suffer in silence.

UnkleMunki
UnkleMunki
February 25, 2019 3:17 pm

I loved ‘Lifes What You Make It’ and of course ‘Talk Talk’, incredible songs that pass the test of time. Great band, great man, rest in peace, the world is a sadder place