Mark Hollis in 1988.Background informationBirth nameMark David HollisBorn( 1955-01-04)4 January 1955, London, EnglandDied25 February 2019 (2019-02-25) (aged 64)Genres,Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriterInstruments,Years active1977–1992, 1997-1998, 2001, 2012LabelsAssociated acts,Mark David Hollis (4 January 1955 – 25 February 2019 – ) was an English musician and singer-songwriter. He achieved commercial success and critical acclaim in the 1980s and 1990s as the co-founder, lead singer and principal songwriter of the band. Hollis wrote or co-wrote most of Talk Talk's music—including hits like ' and '—and in later works developed an experimental, contemplative style.Beginning in 1981 as a group with a image, Talk Talk's sound became increasingly adventurous under Hollis's direction.
For their third album, (1986), Talk Talk adopted an sound that won critical and commercial favour; it remains their biggest commercial success. The band's final two albums, (1988) and (1991), were radical departures from their early work, taking influence from jazz, folk, classical and experimental music. While they were commercial failures in their own time, these albums have come to be seen as early landmarks of music.After Talk Talk disbanded in 1992, Hollis returned to music in 1998 with a, which continued the direction of Talk Talk's sound but in a more minimal, spare, acoustic style. Following the release of his only solo album, Hollis largely retired from the recording industry.Hollis died, aged 64, in February 2019. Contents.Biography Early life (1955–1977) Hollis was born on 4 January 1955 in, London. He had two brothers, one elder and one younger.
Feb 25, 2019 - I am very shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mark Hollis. Musically he was a genius and it was a honour and a privilege. Komakino fanzine - James Marsh - Talk Talk: So long for the fish, Mark Hollis. 'James Marsh is an English visual artist, illustrator, and designer. Notable works.
Little is known about his early life as Hollis was a reluctant interviewee throughout his career. He attended, a now-defunct in, London. In one interview, he claimed to have quit pursuing an education before he had completed his; in another, he said he had taken a course in at the but dropped out after a year and a half.
Between school and the launch of his music career, he worked in factories and as a laboratory technician. Reflecting on this period in his life, he later said, 'I could never wait to get home and start writing songs and lyrics. All day long I'd be jotting ideas down on bits of paper and just waiting for the moment when I could put it all down on tape!'
The Reaction (1977–1979) Ed Hollis, Mark's older brother, mentored Mark and introduced him to the music industry. Ed was a, producer and manager of several bands, including the group. With Ed's encouragement and assistance, Mark formed his first band, The Reaction. Emerging in the era, the Reaction's sound reflected Hollis's interest in early as found on the 1972 compilation. In a later interview, Hollis said, 'Up until punk there's no way I could have imagined I could get a record deal because I didn't think I could play, but punk said, 'If you think you can play you can play.' 'In 1977, The Reaction recorded a for.
A song from the demo, 'Talk Talk Talk Talk', featured on the punk compilation, released by the record-store chain and fledgling label. Written by Hollis, 'Talk Talk Talk Talk' is an early version of Talk Talk's 1982 debut single, '. Noted the Reaction's rendition of the song is about twice as fast and has 'a completely different feel' than the 1982 version.
Island released the Reaction's only single, 'I Can't Resist', in 1978. Likened 'I Can't Resist' to early works. The Reaction disbanded the following year.Around this time, Hollis's musical outlook broadened considerably. He began to listen to like and, which were considered unfashionable in the punk era. His brother Ed introduced him to a wider range of music including, particularly. 's collaborations with arranger on (1959) and (1960) had a lasting impact on Hollis; he later said Davis and Evans's work together 'has space, tight arrangement and technique but it also has movement within it' and said those two albums 'were extremely important albums to me then and they still are, because the values they work with are faultless.'
Talk Talk. Main article:Hollis was best known for being the lead singer and primary songwriter of the band Talk Talk between 1981 and 1991. He was praised for his 'always remarkable voice' and, along with Talk Talk's producer, took the lead in evolving the band's style from into the more experimental and contemplative style that later became known as. Hollis has been credited with saying: 'Before you play two notes, learn how to play one note.
And don't play one note unless you've got a reason to play it.' He also commented: 'The silence is above everything, and I would rather hear one note than I would two, and I would rather hear silence than I would one note.' In 1982, he cited his greatest influences as.
Excerpt from 'The Colour of Spring', the opening track from Hollis' solo albumProblems playing this file? See.Solo work and retirement Talk Talk disbanded in 1991. In 1998, Hollis released an eponymous solo debut album,.
In an interview at the time, he said: 'To me the ultimate ambition is to make music that doesn't have a use by date, that goes beyond your own time.' He also said: 'Technique has never been an important thing to me. Feeling always has been, and always will be, above technique.' According to a 2008 article in, he then largely retired from making music. He stated about his decision to retire from performing, 'I choose for my family. Maybe others are capable of doing it, but I can't go on tour and be a good dad at the same time.' Despite Hollis' absence from the public eye, he continued to be mentioned in the music press as an example of an artist who refused to sacrifice his artistic ambition for commercial success, and as a yardstick for current artists.
His withdrawal from the public continued to fascinate music critics. By the time his solo album was released, Hollis had moved back from the countryside to London in order to provide his two sons with a more cosmopolitan environment.He participated in occasional musical projects, including playing melodica and bass guitar on 's 2001 album Smiling & Waving, as well as producing two tracks on it. In 2004, Hollis resurfaced briefly to receive a Award for having written 'It's My Life'. In 2012, a piece of specially commissioned music by Hollis entitled 'ARB Section 1', was used in the television series.
Collaborations Hollis performed the solo track 'Piano' on the 1998 album AV 1, by Phill Brown and Dave Allinson, under the pseudonym John Cope. This was later included on the 2001 Talk Talk compilation album.
He played piano on and co-wrote the track 'Chaos' on the 1998 album by, later asking for his name to be removed from the album credits. He also co-produced and arranged two tracks ('The Gown' and 'Big Mouth') on 's 2001 album Smiling & Waving. Personal life As of 1998, Hollis lived in with his wife (a teacher) and his two children. Hollis's desire to spend more time with his family was a major reason that Talk Talk stopped touring after 1986, and his reason for retiring from the music industry in 1998.
Death It was first reported on social media on 24 February 2019, and more widely the next day, that Mark Hollis had died, aged 64. Initial reports included a from his cousin-in-law, the paediatrician, and a tribute by Talk Talk’s bassist. Hollis's death, after 'a short illness from which he never recovered', was confirmed by his former manager on 26 February.Further tributes to Hollis included,.
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Retrieved 1 March 2019 – via. (subscription required)External links. – Talk Talk and Mark Hollis fan site with articles, interviews and other content (via the )., The Quietus, 26 February 2019.