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Artist News Obituaries
Andrew Weatherall dies
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 18 February 2020
The music community yesterday paid tribute to DJ, producer and musician Andrew Weatherall, who has died aged 56.
His management said in a statement: “We are deeply sorry to announce that Andrew Weatherall, the noted DJ and musician, passed away in the early hours of this morning, Monday 17th February 2020, at Whipps Cross Hospital, London. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. He was being treated in hospital but unfortunately the blood clot reached his heart. His death was swift and peaceful”.
The statement added: “His family and friends are profoundly saddened by his death and are taking time to gather their thoughts. Further announcements regarding funeral arrangements will be made in due course”.
A prolific producer and remixer, Weatherall won acclaim throughout his career for both his own music and his collaborations with other musicians. Having begun as a freelance music journalist and fanzine maker, his DJ career led to remixing projects for the likes of the Happy Mondays and New Order.
From there came Weatherall’s tie-up with Primal Scream. After being asked to remix the band’s song ‘I’m Losing More Than I’ll Ever Have’, he completely overhauled the track creating the seminal ‘Loaded’. That 1990 record and the subsequent album ‘Screamadelica’ propelled Primal Scream into the limelight and ensured Weatherall’s status as one of the most in demand remixers and record producers.
However, Weatherhall never wanted to pursue the superstar DJ career route taken by other acclaimed producers of that time. Although more mainstream remixing and production projects continued aplenty, and his DJ career continued to prosper, he never sought the celebrity side of being a music-maker, once telling The Independent “that sort of carry-on was never for me”.
Meanwhile, his own musical creations – including via collaborative projects like The Sabres Of Paradise and Two Lone Swordsmen – played and experimented with genres and styles, resulting in an oeuvre as eclectic as it was impressive.
Among the many people and companies paying tribute to Weatherall last night was Warp Records, who released his Two Lone Swordsmen output. They wrote: “We are profoundly sad to learn of the passing of Andrew Weatherall. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. A true cultural icon and vital contributor to the label, his absence will be immensely felt. Thank you for all the music and memories”.
