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Bristol band The Pop Group's Mark Stewart dies aged 62 Bristol band The Pop Group's Mark Stewart dies aged 62
(about 16 hours later)
Stewart was described as a "dear friend, fellow agitator and creative force of nature"Stewart was described as a "dear friend, fellow agitator and creative force of nature"
Mark Stewart, founding member and frontman of The Pop Group, has died at the age of 62, his record label has announced.Mark Stewart, founding member and frontman of The Pop Group, has died at the age of 62, his record label has announced.
The singer passed away in the early hours of Friday, according to a statement released by Mute Records.The singer passed away in the early hours of Friday, according to a statement released by Mute Records.
Stewart was described as a "dear friend, fellow agitator and creative force of nature".Stewart was described as a "dear friend, fellow agitator and creative force of nature".
The artist and political activist founded rock band The Pop Group in 1977 as a teenager in Bristol.The artist and political activist founded rock band The Pop Group in 1977 as a teenager in Bristol.
He performed alongside bandmembers John Waddington, Simon, Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith.He performed alongside bandmembers John Waddington, Simon, Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith.
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"Knowing Mark, working with him, laughing with him and thinking with him was like nothing else", the statement from Mute read. The Pop Group released their debut album Y in 1979, followed by anthems She is Beyond Good and Evil and We are all Prostitutes and released their second album For How Much Longer do we Tolerate Murder? in 1980.
They were known for their post-punk, dub, free jazz and avantgarde experimentalism with sound.
The group split in 1981 before reforming nearly 30 years later in 2010.
Their first new album Citizen Zombie, produced by Paul Epworth, was released in In 2015 and in 2016, they released Honeymoon on Mars, produced by Dennis Bovell and Hamk Shocklee.
'Like nothing else'
Worldwide tours followed, along with a reissue of album Y to celebrate their 40 anniversary in 2019, then as Y in Dub in 2021.
Among tributes to the Bristol-born singer, a statement from Mute said: "Knowing Mark, working with him, laughing with him and thinking with him was like nothing else.
"His hugely confident and dominating presence was coupled with a sensitive, warm, creative, curious, intelligent and hilarious nature."His hugely confident and dominating presence was coupled with a sensitive, warm, creative, curious, intelligent and hilarious nature.
"He was always, vocally, on the side of the oppressed, and did all he could to ensure people were treated correctly. "He was always, vocally, on the side of the oppressed, and did all he could to ensure people were treated correctly," they added.
"He questioned every single thing that was said and in his political beliefs and in support of others, Mark was not just looking out for the underdog, he was intent that everyone got a voice, everyone got a chance." The tribute said Mr Stewart questioned every thing and was "not just looking out for the underdog, he was intent that everyone got a voice, everyone got a chance".
Bristol music collective Massive Attack paid their respects in a tweet which read: "Post punk pioneer and original chief rocker. RIP Mark Stewart. Bristol will never be the same."Bristol music collective Massive Attack paid their respects in a tweet which read: "Post punk pioneer and original chief rocker. RIP Mark Stewart. Bristol will never be the same."
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