The co-founder and guitarist of the cult Italian prog-rock band has died aged 70.
News of Massimo Morante’s passing was confirmed on the official Goblin Facebook page yesterday (23 June). “Goblin announce with a heavy heart and in total disbelief the passing of founder and guitar master Massimo Morante,” the post read.
The musician’s daughter Valerie also paid respects to her late father in a Facebook post and shared details of his funeral this coming weekend. “For anyone who would like to give him a last goodbye,” she wrote, “the funeral will take place on Saturday 25th June at 10.30 at the Church of Artists in Piazza del Popolo (Rome).”
Morante formed Goblin with Claudio Simonetti in 1972, originally naming the project Oliver and then Cherry Five before settling on Goblin. The band are renowed for creating horror soundtracks for Italian director Dario Argento’s films including Suspiria and Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) as well George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Following on from the latter film, Morante left the group to pursue his solo career and went on to rejoin the band at various points and continued to perform with Goblin. He last joined the group for 2018’s Fearless (37513 Zombie Ave.)
Read a selection of tributes paid to the late musician below.
R.I.P. Massimo Morante, the godly guitarist for Goblin and a man with style to spare. pic.twitter.com/a9grM4dLTh
— William Friedkin Truths (@LazlosGhost) June 23, 2022
Sad news. Massimo Morante, guitarist & co founder of Goblin has passed away..seen here wearing his red bandana💔 pic.twitter.com/YmKMvtmIi3
— GIALLO_GIALLO (@GIALLO_GIALLO) June 23, 2022
RIP to guitar master Massimo Morante, from Goblin. Thanks for all the great music, atmosphere and inspiration. ❤️🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/i19n8z9uI4
— Voyag3r (@voyag3rband) June 23, 2022
Sad to hear about the legendary Massimo Morante of Goblin.
At Supersonic Fest the year Goblin headlined, found myself walking behind an Argento character brought to life: wildly tall, frizzed hair, full length white leather coat, black gloves and boots. It was the man himself. pic.twitter.com/htlugvJkfP
— Scott J (@ScottJohannsson) June 23, 2022
Sad to hear about the passing of Massimo Morante – Goblin was one of the most creatively thrilling bands, brilliant, eerie, incomparable; and creator of soundtracks for some of the best horror films ever made: DEEP RED, TENEBRAE, PHENOMENA, SUSPIRIA https://t.co/mTjDTpROIS
— Tiffany Aleman (@FakeTiffanyAle) June 23, 2022
RIP Massimo Morante, the guitarist in Goblin, seen here in his cherubic youth. Without their scores the impact of Argento’s Suspiria and Deep Red (and a number of other directors films) would be severely reduced. pic.twitter.com/44E7V6KjNo
— Peter Walker🥉🍰 (@PeterWalker59) June 23, 2022