Written by: Alex Green
Jet Black, the charismatic and inventive drummer of the Ivor Novello Award-winning band The Stranglers, has died.
Black, who was born Brian John Duffy, was 84. He died on Tuesday (Dec 6) at his country home in Wales, surrounded by family and friends.
His publicist said that Black died peacefully after what they referred to as, “years of ill health.”
A founding member of the legendary Guildford band who got their start in 1974, The Stranglers had a decorated career, logging nearly 25 songs in the top 40. A semi-pro drummer in the late ’50s, at the time of the band’s formation, Black was already in his mid-thirties and had been making a living by owning a fleet of ice cream vans.
On Twitter, the official account for The Stranglers read: “It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague and band elder statesman Jet Black. Jet died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Fond adieu, fly straight JB.x”
The Stranglers’ bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel tipped his hat to Black on social media, writing: “The welcoming committee has doubled. After years of ill health, Jet has finally been released. He was a force of nature. An inspiration. The Stranglers would not have been if it wasn’t for him. The most erudite of men. A rebel with many causes.”
Meanwhile, guitarist Baz Warne wrote: “I loved Jet. He took me under his wing over two decades ago and I never really came out from under it. I’m so very sad he’s gone.”
An author, a furniture designer, and the architect of a custom bass drum pedal, Black was a man of many interests and talents.
He retired from live performances in 2015 due to health issues.
Black is survived by his wife and two children.
