CULT SINGER-SONGWRITER DEAD AT 81

Folk music legend Bill Fay has died at the age of 81.

It was shared in a statement from his record label, Dead Oceans, that the musician passed away peacefully in London during the early hours of Saturday.

Previously, Bill had been given a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. He was often referred to as “a kind soul and a true gentleman, wiser than most of us” by those who knew him well.

He was a quietly compassionate individual with an extraordinarily large heart, composing profoundly touching and significant songs that will resonate with many for generations.

Back in the early ’70s, when I was just starting out, my debut album, “Bill Fay,” along with “Time of the Last Persecution,” were warmly received by a small yet devoted fanbase upon their initial release.

Initially, they didn’t garner commercial acclaim, but over time, they have sparked enduring loyalty and are now recognized as underrated masterpieces of that period.

Thanks to significant assistance from producer Joshua Henry, who located Bill and persuaded him to produce another album, Bill ultimately created three more albums with Dead Oceans: Life is People (2012), marking his first release in four decades; Who is the Sender? (2015); and Countless Branches (2020), experiencing a rise in popularity as it happened.

‘Only a month before his passing, Bill was busy working on a new album. 

‘We aim to bring this work to completion and share it someday, yet in the meantime, we cherish the memory of Bill as a man, often found in a quiet corner playing the piano, composing tender songs that resonated deeply with people across the globe.’

‘Life Is People. With love, Bill’s friends at Dead Oceans.’

Following the post about Bill on Instagram, numerous users expressed their personal tributes to him by commenting below.

Expressing the profound effect Bill’s music has had on my life is almost unattainable. Rarely have I encountered writers who touched upon the human experience and the splendor of our world as eloquently as Bill Fay. May his soul find peace.

‘One of the greatest. We were blessed; 

‘Condolences to his friends and family. Thank you for giving him a second act;’

Just discovered your stunning music, Bill, and it’s already resonated within me profoundly. May the best of luck and blessings be upon you, Bill.

1943 saw the birth of a man, who hailed from North London. During his university days, he started penning tunes and making demo recordings – all unnoticed until they were spotted by Terry Noon, a past drummer for Van Morrison.

Later on, he got contracted to Decca Records’ sub-label Dream, through which he put out his first two albums titled “Bill Fay” in 1970, followed by “Time of the Last Persecution” the next year.

In my expert opinion, after moderate sales with my second album, I found myself let go by the record label. Yet, nearly four decades later, in 1998, a humble UK record label resurrected my tunes. Subsequently, they were brought to the attention of esteemed producer Jim O’Rourke.

During the process of recording Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, he played some of Fay’s music to Jeff Tweedy. This exposure resulted in Jeff Tweedy and his band Wilco performing “Be Not So Fearful” during their live shows afterwards.

Fab went onto perform with the band in 2007 and 2010.

In the year 2024, when discussing Fay’s music with The Guardian, I found myself captivated by its straightforward charm and graceful sophistication.

‘At once, you discern that this isn’t influenced by ambition or trends; instead, it’s an individual modestly expressing themselves to bring a touch of elegance and perhaps foster harmony within the world.’

In the year 2005, Fay collaborated with David Tibet from Current 93 to produce a collection album titled “Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow,” which she later released on her own.

The album included studio recordings between 1978 and 1981.

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2025-02-23 14:04