The other week on X, Thruston Moore of Sonic Youth, asked "Who is the greatest rock act of all time?" I cited The Fall with the "Bill is Dead" Snub TV 1990 excellent song, excellent film and added, "Mark E lives on." Out of the hundred plus replies, it won. (I also love "Sing! Harpy", off the same great album, Extricate.
First time I saw The Fall was when they supported The Cramps up at the Glasgow Tech in 1980! Whatta gig! One of the best ever! A real shame no one recorded it. There are some photos floating around on the interwebs!
Never forget Mark grabbing my crotch at the QM in Glasgow as I was about to tell him how much I loved The Fall! It was the f*ckin’ perfect response. Lol!
People die. It doesnt bother me. So sad Mark went before he should have. Sstill sends a sad shiver through my heart each time it comes to mind. Dictionary definition of "SALT OF THE EARTH" Should be MARK.E.SMITH. ❤
He always put a good word in for the band I was in. Mainly because we were always gigging. That was the job as far as Mark was concerned. He was right. Always let on to you and it was always brill when he did.
Plus... what he wrote about his experiences and his advice from begging ended up saving my life and the lives of a lot of others in Sheffield. At the end of the day.. how do you do the job of a priest without joining a particular group with a favourite story or ending up with folk fighting over your advice? I will get this land respecting us who rant for change as wise folk instead of dirty tramps
I saw a video recently of them playing a music festival to loads of young uns in the day time and none of them were dancing. I dance like I channel shiva when I hear them but only can dance at night time for some reason and I'd never encourage young uns to act like me due to mark's respectfull advice on being a looney. Every time I saw the Fall live at night time though I'd find myself dancing like mad with all the 50 year old men and old grey lasses like myself. What a hip priest!
When I first met my wife she had the same hairstyle as brix in the eat yrself fitter video. 10 years later we are still together living our best life in our tiny apartment and we have a framed pic of mark on our living room wall. We absolutely love him. What a great bloke. The hardwork and dedicated artistry put into the fall over the decades I don't think will ever be matched. Very special. Salford's finest 💪🍻
Lovely, fitting tribute to the great man. As a Yank in the suburbs, Fall records were not a common sight. When I did finally hear them, it was a cutout cassette of Wonderful and Frightening World of...in the late 80s. Totally took my head off, it did. And i was, and have remained, a lifelong fan ever since. Thanks Ed!
'Wake up in the city' sounds like a classic garage rock song circa The Sonics, The Seeds, The Wailers. Obviously filtered through MES' unique vision as always.
My first memory of the band is the song bill is dead and then the cure just like heaven and heaven is im miserable now so fall cure smiths. Now i think its dull without him but newertheless i listen to the swans nowadays. I dont like the doors frank zappa and led zeppelin.
Notha thing am ah reminded of The So Called British Music press.'!-'doin sub par hammy blurbs ''Adding Ah' a lot As somone as good as M.E.Smith.wouldve giving a look well i cant imagine that but silly little asides that weren't ever ok.!'No more Rock CRIT ix' Sunshines on my wings..!
They don't make em like Mark E Smith any longer. The first time I heard Bingo Masters at 17 ... life would never be the same!! Born in the North. RIP Mark E Smith
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Thanks so much for this amazing heartfelt tribute. His lyrics and life achievement would deserve a PhD pos-recognition. He was a genious.
I'm a 38 year old American I played musical instruments all my life I discovered the fall when I was 18 Mark is still my favorite musician ever I think he's the most genius musician the fall is for everyone the fall is for smart marks
just so naturally and brilliant,- even left a cough in - he never changed. As Vic and Bob said, 'what's in your bag Stavros?' Normal bloke to the end - but couldn't help being a reluctant genius.
Completely agree :-) I have very regular seizures lasting up to 10 - 15min a time and I get the impression that he's a recent feature in whatever it is happens when my brain shuts down. Maybe just epilepsy psycosis but it's reassuring.
