Musicians pay tribute to legendary director David Lynch, who has died aged 78

Iconic American director David Lynch has died at age 78, his family confirmed yesterday in a Facebook post.

“We would appreciate some privacy at this time,” they wrote. “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”

Writer and director of prolific films like Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead, Lynch wrote in August of his ongoing battle with emphysema.

“I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco - the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them - but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I have now quit smoking for over two years.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking. I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco - the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them - but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is…

— David Lynch (@DAVID_LYNCH) August 5, 2024

Sources told Deadline that Lynch was forced to evacuate his home due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, where his health then “took a turn for the worse.”

Over the course of his career, Lynch has earned four Academy Award nominations– including three for Best Director and one for Best Adapted Screenplay. He won the Academy’s Honorary Award in 2019, recognizing his “extraordinary lifetime achievement.” Using experimentalist and art-house iconography, Lynch made a name for himself as one of the most recognizable in film.

Originally from Missoula, Montana, he went on to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. After moving to Los Angeles in 1971, he began working on his first movie, Eraserhead, while studying film-making at the AFI Conservatory.

Many recognize Lynch for his 1989 murder-mystery television series, Twin Peaks. The show was picked up for three seasons, wrapping up in 2017, and also led to the production of 1992 prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.

“It goes without saying that his films have had a big influence on us and our visual style,” wrote Dublin-based band Soda Blonde in a recent Instagram post. “His surrealist approach to modern Americana was nothing short of visionary.”

 

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Aside from writing and directing, Lynch had a plethora of varying artistic pursuits. He released dynamic, hauntingly dreamy musical projects, spanning across 11 albums since 2007. He also created paintings and photographs in his classic surrealist and art noir style.

“Truly saddened to hear of the passing of David Lynch,” wrote Billy Corgan, lead vocalist of the Smashing Pumpkins. The singer contributed the song 'Eye' to the soundtrack for Lynch’s 1997 film Lost Highway. “I truly encourage everyone who loves movies and television to watch all that David produced. He was a true artist, through and through.”

RIP David Lynch. A true artist, through and through. pic.twitter.com/qtcE8U4q3f

— William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) January 16, 2025

"God bless David Lynch, peace and love to all his family peace and love Ringo," wrote Ringo Starr of the Beatles.

God bless David Lynch, peace and love to all his family peace and love Ringo. 😎🌟❤️🎶🌈🥦🌻☮️ pic.twitter.com/AsSeb3sMsU

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) January 16, 2025

Sting shared a photo to Instagram on the set of 1984's Dune, writing, "David was a modern giant of the avant garde. I am so proud to have worked with him on the first Dune movie."

 

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"Within moments of learning of his passing, I saw a cardinal bounding in the tree outside my window," wrote Chrystabell on Instagram, collaborator on Lynch's last album Cellophane Memories. "The bird was flying gleefully...This brought me immense comfort in my despair and I wanted to share in case it brings you comfort too."

The singer continued, writing, "Has anyone else noticed any poignant synchronicities today? If so please share, or anything else you feel moved to share."

 

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