Brix Smith Start, a former guitarist for The Fall who was married to Mark E Smith in the 80s, has posted a public statement in commemoration of the late post-punk frontman. Smith passed away yesterday morning (24 January) in his home.
The statement details their time together: “Mark defied convention and definition – he was a true artist. When I arrived in Manchester – a young American – he introduced me to pickled onions, pubs and punk. He was my music mentor, my cultural anchor, and my first love.”
She adds, “I feel deeply saddened by his passing, but I feel greater joy for having shared his journey. He never once compromised, how many others can leave this life with such a singularity of vision?”
The pair met in 1983 after a gig in Chicago. Later that year, in July, they got married and celebrated in the Eagle & Child pub with sausage rolls, pickled onions and crisps. Smith Start joined the group as the lead guitarist and contributed vocals to their 1983 album Perverted by Language. The two divorced in 1989, and Smith Start left the group.
Read her full post below.
— Brix Smith Start (@Brixsmithstart) January 25, 2018
