Steve Mackey

Bassist with Pulp who was also a successful producer, remixer and fashion photographer.

In 1996, by then celebrated as a member of the group that made the epochal No 1 album Different Class (1995), Mackey said: “I think if you’re in a band that are popular, you might as well enjoy it.” He was one of two children born in Sheffield to Kath (nee Harrison) and Paul Mackey. [picture taken in South America during the 2012 tour](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpSjASZKJBs/?hl=en). He went to early Pulp gigs and got to know Cocker; when both took up university places in London in the late 80s, Cocker invited him to join the band. Mackey was forging ahead on a mountain path, having suggested to the band that the best way to fill a day off was to hike in the Andes. In 2008 she [told the Observer](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/06/women.fashion2), “he doesn’t want to get married and I don’t want to have children”. In his life & in the band,” Cocker wrote. [second career](https://www.stevemackeystudio.com/projects) in the 2010s. “I’ve decided to continue the work I’m engaged in – music, film-making and photography projects, and will not be joining them,” he wrote on Instagram. Conversely, a handsome 6ft 2in, he could also carry off a smouldering teen-idol look, as captured in an early-90s [Jean-Baptiste Mondino](https://www.instagram.com/p/CNh7I9Ngft3/) shot. When Pulp made their mark in the mid-90s, some of the success could also be apportioned to Mackey’s skill at managing the band’s visuals with Cocker in the early years. On stage, Cocker was the insinuating, finger-pointing extrovert, but Mackey, reserved and elegant, was an attraction in his own right.

The band has confirmed the news, remembering its “beloved friend” who always “made things happen”. “Our beloved friend and bass player Steve Mackey passed away ...

“This photo of Steve dates from when Pulp were on tour in South America in 2012. In his life and in the band. So we did,” they began. We had a day off and Steve suggested we go climbing in the Andes. Sharing a photo of Mackey climbing in the Andes while on tour, his fellow band members shared the special meaning behind the image. “Our beloved friend and bass player Steve Mackey passed away this morning,” the band members wrote on Twitter on March 2.

Musician died following three month stay in hospital, with wife Katie Grand describing him as 'the most talented man I have ever known'

He co-wrote and produced songs on Florence + the Machine’s debut album Lungs; co-produced the breakthrough MIA single Galang; worked on early recordings by the Horrors; and continued to collaborate with Cocker on the latter’s solo recordings. Mackey, who was born in Sheffield and went to school with another of the city’s future music stars, Richard Hawley, played in other local bands such as Trolley Dog Shag but started following Pulp and befriended frontman Jarvis Cocker. With his sharp tailoring, drooping quiff and model good looks, Mackey brought raffish cool and driving, disco-influenced rhythm to the Sheffield band, whose first two albums, recorded with different bassists in 1983 and 1987, had been minor cult hits in the British indie scene. In his life & in the band. In a band statement posted on social media following his death, Pulp described him as a “beloved friend” and pictured him hiking in the Andes during the group’s 2012 reunion. however I’ve decided to continue the work I’m engaged in – music, film-making and photography projects.” He wished the band well and thanked the group’s “amazing fanbase”.

Steve Mackey who was the bass guitarist for the popular band Pulp has died aged 56.

In his life and in the band. And we’d very much like to think that he’s back in those mountains now, on the next stage of his adventure. [Pulp](https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/23085534.pulp-reunite-tour-dates-get-pulp-2023-tickets/) were on tour in South America in 2012. Our thoughts are with his family & loved ones. He will be missed beyond words." Mackey joined the band in 1989 when he contributed to their third album, Separations and later joined the band to play on future works.

Steve Mackey, longtime bassist for the Britpop band Pulp, has died at the age of 56.

While Pulp’s classic lineup would only release one more album, 2001’s We Love Life, before Cocker embarked on his solo career, Mackey would accompany Cocker in the studio for 2006’s Jarvis and 2009’s Further Complications. In his life & in the band. & we’d very much like to think that he’s back in those mountains now, on the next stage of his adventure. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the NHS staff who worked tirelessly for Steve. “Steve was the most talented man I knew, an exceptional musician, producer, photographer and filmmaker. In addition to his time with Pulp, Mackey was an in-demand remixer and producer who worked with the likes of M.I.A., Florence and the Machine, and the Arcade Fire, with Mackey serving as co-producer on the latter’s 2017 LP Everything Now.

Pulp bassist Steve Mackey dies after a three-month stint in hospital, with his wife, Katie Grand, saying he was "the most talented man I knew".

And we'd very much like to think that he's back in those mountains now, on the next stage of his adventure." "Steve made things happen, in his life and in the band. "We had a day off and Steve suggested we go climbing in the Andes," the band said.

The longtime bassist of legendary Britpop band Pulp has tragically died after a secret health struggle that saw him hospitalised for months.

“After three months in hospital, fighting with all his strength and determination, we are shocked and devastated to have said goodbye to my brilliant, beautiful husband Steve Mackey,” she wrote. Pulp are set to hit the stage for a reunion tour this year, but Mackey revealed in October that he would not be joining the others. The band went on a hiatus in 2002 but came back together to perform across the world in 2011 and 2012. His wife Katie Grand has also shared a tribute to the “most talented man”. In a Twitter post, Pulp said: “Our beloved friend and bass player Steve Mackey passed away this morning. Pulp bassist Steve Mackey has died aged 56 with his fellow bandmates paying tribute to their “beloved friend”.

Pulp bassist Steve Mackey has died at age 56. His death was confirmed by his wife via an Instagram post on 2nd March.

[shared a tribute to their “beloved friend” across their social pages](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpSjMIaKQlm/), reflecting on a time when the band were on tour in South America in 2012. Mackey joined Pulp in 1989 and played on the band’s third album Separations in 1992. His wife Katie Grand confirmed the news [via a post on Instagram last night](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpShEmJyHje/) (Thursday, 2nd March), writing that Mackey had spent three months in the hospital “fighting with all his strength and determination”. In his life & in the band. As in life, he was adored by everyone whose paths he crossed in the multiple creative disciplines he conquered.” “We are shocked and devastated to have said goodbye my brilliant, beautiful husband, Steve Mackey,” Grand wrote.