Music
09 Dec 22

Bandmates and fellow musicians pay tribute to The Stranglers drummer Jet Black

Jet and his band were an inspiration to successive generations of rock 'n' roll reprobates

The tributes have been pouring into Jet Black, a founder member and drummer for many years with the legendary Stranglers. Jet - real name Brian Duffy – passed away peacefully at his home in Wales on Tuesday aged 84.

He retired from performing live with the band in 2015 due to respiratory problems he'd suffered from since childhood.

Although they'd formed in 1974 as The Guildford Stranglers and were considerably older than Messrs. Strummer and Rotten, The Stranglers' malevolent approach to their music and penchant for expletives made them welcome punk interlopers with 'Peaches', '(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)', 'Something Better Change' and 'No More Heroes' making them Top Of The Pops regular.

While many of their spiky-haired rivals failed to make it out of the '80s, The Stranglers broadened their musical horizons with the likes of 'Golden Brown' and 'Always The Sun'. Indeed, they succeeded in never making the same album twice.

One of The Stranglers' trademarks was the muscular rhythm section featuring Black, who had Roscommon roots, and JJ Burnell who still features in the current incarnation of the band.

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague and band elder statesman Jet Black. Jet died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Fond adieu, fly straight JB.x
Read more: https://t.co/vz0RJDme7X pic.twitter.com/XLrcgoCkxr

— The Stranglers (Official) (@StranglersSite) December 8, 2022

The tributes have been pouring in with his former bandmate Hugh Cornwell saying: t is with great sadness I have learnt that Jet Black has passed away. "We shared a special period of our lives when we strived to become professional musicians. We were immediately drawn to one another, he had a singular sense of purpose that I identified with. He threw everything in his previous life out, to dedicate himself to our common goal. Our birthdays were two days apart, so we were quite similar. The Stranglers success was founded on his determination and drive. His timing was faultless. All power to him and his legacy."

Irish musician Ciarán Tallon messages: Very sad to hear about Jet Black. As anyone who knows me well I am an insane Stranglers fan all my life. The band that made me want to play in a band. Totally underrated drummer imo. A machine with brilliant ideas and technique."

Luke Haines joins in with: "Ah Jet Black. R.I.P. Love the first fives Stranglers albums. Black And White should be high on all those boring best album ever lists. Fantastic band: violent, still capable of offending purse-lipped ninnies, and with more hooks than Peter Hook's hat stand."

Adds Lol Tolhurst from The Cure: "As young punks we saw them play many times. Jet was always the solid foundation of the band."

Fellow punk era traveller Jake Burns from Stiff Little Fingers says: "A true gentleman. A phenomenal drummer. I always enjoyed meeting Jet. Deepest condolences to Ava Rave and all Jet's family."

Here are some more of the tributes:

RIP Jet Black .. one half of the hardest rhythm section in the world. Legend !! @StranglersSite

— RICKY WARWICK 🍀 (@rickywarwick) December 8, 2022

Jet Black aka Brian Duffy. Roots in Roscommon He rang the house once. My mum answered. Someone with a made up name is on the phone for you. Jet chuckled at that. Imagine interviewing one of your boyhood idols. He couldn’t have been more generous with his time. RIP Jet In Black https://t.co/9dcx55OD5w

— David Bell (@DavidBellFirebr) December 8, 2022

The backbone of The Stranglers' rhythm.

Rest in peace Jet Black, drummer and co-founder of pivotal proto-punk band The Stranglers.

Thank you for so many classics 🖤 pic.twitter.com/bp820x0VvZ

— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) December 9, 2022