Tributes pour in for Andy Gill, guitarist for Gang Of Four
Artists like Tom Morello, Mike Mills and Flea credited the Gill’s influence on guitar music.
Image: Chris McKay / Getty
Andy Gill, founding member and guitarist for post-punk band Gang Of Four, passed away on 1 February. Fans and musicians took to social media to pay their respects to Gill in the wake of his death.
Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello listed Gill as “one of my principal influences”, while former R.E.M. member Mike Mills credited Gang Of Four as being a significant inspiration. “Really bummed to hear of Andy Gill’s passing. He, and the rest of the Gang, changed how we attacked the live show, gave us a bar to try and rise to. And so much metallic volume… good bye to one of the best. R.I.P., Andy,” Mills wrote on Twitter.
“Andy Gill, one of my favourite guitar players of all time has left us. Go listen to the Gang of Four album Entertainment! right now. Turn that shit up loud and rock the fuck out. Dance. Think,” Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea wrote on Instagram.
Gill was originally recruited by Red Hot Chili Peppers to produce the band’s 1984 self-titled debut album. Flea also revealed that he was initially working on a track with John Frusciante for a Gill-curated Gang Of Four tribute album.
“After not being in touch for many years, Andy and I had spoken recently, and communicated a lot of over the last several months about a Gang Of Four tribute album he was putting together,” Flea wrote. “Myself, John Frusciante, and the youth choir from the Silverlake Conservatory of Music just finished recording a track for it, and sent in to Andy on Monday.”
Gill passed due to complications from pneumonia at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife Catherine Mayer and his brother Martin.
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