Pulp bassist Steve Mackey dies aged 56: "He will be missed beyond words"

Pulp bass player Steve Mackey has died, his wife and bandmates have confirmed today (March 2nd).

Pulp have shared an official statement confirming his death at 56 years old. The bass player had been living in North London with his wife and family.

In the note, Pulp write: “Our beloved friend & bass player Steve Mackey passed away this morning. Our thoughts are with his family & loved ones. Safe travels, Steve. We hope to catch up with you one day. All our love.”

Mackey was quietly battling a brief illness, according to a post on Instagram that relayed the heartbreaking and unexpected news. Mackey’s wife Katie wrote the statement:

“After three months in hospital, fighting with all his strength and determination, we are shocked and devastated to have said goodbye my brilliant, beautiful husband, Steve Mackey. Steve died today, a loss which has left myself, his son Marley, parents Kath and Paul, sister Michelle and many friends all heartbroken. Steve was the most talented man I knew, an exceptional musician, producer, photographer and filmmaker. As in life, he was adored by everyone whose paths he crossed in the multiple creative disciplines he conquered. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the NHS staff who worked tirelessly for Steve. He will be missed beyond words.”

Our beloved friend & bass player Steve Mackey passed away this morning. Our thoughts are with his family & loved ones. Safe travels, Steve.
We hope to catch up with you one day. All our love xx pic.twitter.com/pickNV56Nl

— Pulp (@welovepulp) March 2, 2023

Steve Mackey joined Pulp in 1989, and played across all their most successful albums. His playing can be heard on the band’s era-defining hits, but he also helped push Pulp back towards the left-field.

A noted producer, Steve Mackey also worked with everyone from Cornershop to The Kills via M.I.A. while also co-writing a number of songs on Florence + The Machine’s debut album Lungs. He also worked with Marianne Faithfull, Palma Violets, The Long Blondes, Jarvis Cocker and more.

Alongside Cocker and members of Radiohead, he had a cameo in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as part of The Weird Sisters.

In 2017 Steve Mackey and his Pulp band mates were awarded a special Ivor Novello trophy for Outstanding Song Collection.

Pulp are set to reform this summer, and have detailed plans for a nationwide run of live shows, including a headline show at St Anne's Park, Dublin on June 9th.

In a note last year, Steve Mackey had ruled himself out of the shows, citing prior commitments; “I’ve decided to continue the work I’m engaged in – music, filmmaking and photography projects, and will not be joining them for these UK shows just announced.”