Dexys Midnight Runners star Andy Leek has sadly died aged 66.
Andy, a founding member of the iconic 1980s band, died on November 3 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed with the devastating condition back in 2008, when he was just 49 years of age.
The musician performed as the pianist for Dexys Midnight Runners and featured on their number one hit single Geno before leaving the group to pursue a successful solo career. Andy’s partner Deborah Smith Lawrence confirmed his passing on Facebook with a heartfelt tribute, where she celebrated him as a “phenomenal person”.
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Despite being together for 35 years and not believing in marriage, the pair tied the knot last month in the lead up to his death. They’d planned for a Christmas wedding but tragically, they had to marry on October 30 just days before his passing.
(Image: Redferns)
In the lengthy statement, Deborah wrote: “The poet Mary Oliver wrote ‘Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable’. And the unimaginable has happened. My beautiful Andy left us on Sunday November 3. Mercifully he was held safe at Goscote Hospice, which is the most peaceful place I have known in my entire life.
“He received truly compassionate and loving care from people there. I was with him, by his side in those most fragile last moments and he died as he lived, courageously.
“Andy had lived with Parkinson’s for the best part of two decades. He was a phenomenal person. By turns strong and gentle, funny and vulnerable, freedom-loving, fiercely creative, passionate and intelligent yet always so immensely loving, generous and authentic.”
(Image: BBC)
Deborah spoke of how Andy threw himself into his music as a result of his diagnosis. She went on: “His response to his diagnosis? To play music and to craft song. The album Waking Up the World was written in that maelstrom.
She continued: “I am grateful beyond words for the team at Derby who are exemplary in every way. Fiona, Caroline, Clare, Suzanne, Louise, Rob, Kaanthan… all of you, I pray you know how much your care meant to us both and that Andy loved you all.”
“As people in our world hear the news, they tell me how much they loved him, that he was a real character and that they were inspired by the way he faced down his condition with consummate grace and grit. Naturally they tell me they are listening to his music and this he would treasure.
(Image: Redferns)
“We were together for 35 years and being the bohemian souls we are, felt no need for the convention of marriage. Yet recently we wanted to wed and we were planning a Christmas Wedding. Tragically this was not to be and we were married on 30th October at Walsall Manor. I cannot convey how bittersweet this is, to have married and to have lost the love of my life within one week.
“Equally I have no words to convey the shock and the sorrow I feel, yet I have the enduring love and a lifetime of the most amazing memories of being with such an exquisite man. My soulmate, my husband and my best friend.
“Andy’s incredible talent and musical legacy as a poet, songwriter, musician and a world class singer will endure. You can listen to most of his albums by following the links below. However it’s the album Eternity Beckons that touches me most right now.”
Leek was also known for his work with Sir George Martin, who was known as the “fifth Beatle”. He also wrote the single Twist in the Dark for ABBA star Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
His album Waking Up the World was released in May 2013. During his career, he appeared on several TV shows including Later with Jools Holland, Children in Need three times, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Dexys Midnight Runners have since become best known for their song Come On Eileen. The band have also scored six other top 20 singles.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
