Andy Gill Biography, Wiki
Andrew James Dalrymple Gill was a British musician and record producer. He was the lead guitarist for the British rock band Gang of Four, which he co-founded in 1976. Gill was known for his jagged style of guitar on albums such as Entertainment! (1979) and Solid Gold (1981) and hit singles such as “At Home He’s a Tourist,” “Damaged Goods,” “Anthrax,” “What We All Want” and “I Love a Man in a Uniform”.
Andy Gill. pic.twitter.com/DHNCz5lAe6
— GANG OF FOUR (@gangof4official) February 1, 2020
In addition to his work with Gang of Four, Gill has also recorded the producer and produced or co-produced all the albums of the band. He also produced albums for artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jesus Lizard, Stranglers, Futureheads, Michael Hutchence, Killing Joke, Polysics, Fight Like Apes, Therapy? and the young knives.
Gill’s unique guitar riffs were choppy and funky with bursts of freeform noise, taking inspiration from a range of players, including Jimi Hendrix, Wilko Johnson, and Parliament-Funkadelic’s Eddie Hazel.
“Seeing Wilko and Dr Feelgood was a real lightbulb moment,” he told The Skinny in 2015. “He never stopped looking at the audience and didn’t spend much time looking at his guitar – I duly noted that.
“I always think of the guitar as being part of a larger instrument, which is the band,” Gill added. “What I always find uninspiring is when guitarists treat the rest of the band as a background over which they show off.”
Gang Of Four never had a hit single (1982’s I Love A Man In Uniform came close before it was banned from the airwaves during the Falklands War) but their first three albums are considered indispensable.
They split in 1984, but reformed several times over the years, with a variety of line-ups. Gill was the only constant throughout their career.
Fast Facts You Need to Know
Andy Gill Age
R.I.P. to the great guitarist Andy Gill. Such a expressive, influential player . #gangoffour https://t.co/Qci7iQYy9a
— Kid Congo Powers (@kidcongopowers) February 1, 2020
Andy Gill Personal life, Wife
Gill was married to Catherine Mayer, a journalist and the co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party. Gill was often confused with The Independent’s music critic, also named Andy Gill.
Andy Gill Death and Cause
Andy Gill, founding member and guitarist for the British post-punk outfit Gang of Four, has died at the age of 64 https://t.co/lQlaArEBau
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) February 1, 2020
Gill’s death was announced by Gang of Four on 1 February 2020. Andy Gill, the founding member, and guitarist of British post-punk band Gang Of Four has died aged 64.
The musician’s scratchy, staccato riffs provided the band with their signature sound and influenced the likes of Nirvana, Fugazi, and Franz Ferdinand.
His bandmates announced his death in a statement, saying: “Our great friend and supreme leader has died today”.
