The Charlatans and Primal Scream’s Martin Duffy dies aged 55

Steve Hopkins

‘He was a pleasure to spend time with. Safe travels Duffy’

The Charlatans and Primal Scream keyboardist Martin Duffy has died aaged 55.

The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess paid tribute to the musician’s “beautiful soul” in a tweet on Tuesday, where he mourned “another tragic loss”.

https://t.co/2sN6stJOwL

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) December 20, 2022

“Martin Duffy stepped in to save The Charlatans when we lost Rob – he played with us at Knebworth and was a true friend.

“He toured with me in my solo band too – he was a pleasure to spend time with. Safe travels Duffy.”

Martin, who was born in Birmingham and joined the indie rock band Felt on keyboards in 1985, played on Primal Scream’s first two albums and joined the band permanently in 1989.

He also played with The Charlatans after the death of founding member Rob Collins in July 1996 – just before they were set to play their biggest gig supporting Oasis at Knebworth.

Martin played on The Charlatans fifth album Tellin’ Stories.

Fans have started sharing their memories of Marin on social media, where one wrote:

“He lived on my street in the 90s and drank in my local boozer I sometimes used to shoot pool with Martin, genuinely a nice dude, very sad news,” one fan tweeted.

Another replied to Burgess’ announcement, writing: “I’m so sorry to hear this, Tim. I met him a couple of times. He was such a lovely guy and a great, great player. Sending love x”

Speechless and heartbroken. RIP Duffy xxx pic.twitter.com/yGwMFxiJm3

— James Endeacott (@jamesendeacott) December 20, 2022

Waking up to the news about Terry Hall and Martin Duffy.The cycle of life and death is cruel at times and these two had so much more to give to the world. Thank you for the music,memories and the inspiration that will live on long after all faulty and fallible flesh fails. X

— Justin Robertson (@robertsonjustin) December 20, 2022

https://twitter.com/Birmingham_81/status/1605134695318044672