The Pogues' Darryl Hunt has died, aged 72

Music
09 Aug 22

Darryl Hunt (bottom left) pictured with The Pogues on the cover of If I Should Fall from Grace with God

"We are saddened beyond words," The Pogues have said in response to the news.

Tributes are being paid to Darryl Hunt of The Pogues this afternoon – following news that the English musician has died, aged 72.

The Pogues, who Hunt first joined as a bass guitarist in 1986, confirmed the news on Twitter today.

"We are saddened beyond words," the band stated. "Our Darryl passed away yesterday afternoon in London."

We are saddened beyond words. Our Darryl passed away yesterday afternoon in London.

Darryl Gatwick Hunt 04/05/1950 - 08/08/2022

‘I know you want to hear me catch my breath
I love you till the end’ pic.twitter.com/9TZWx8eLLc

— The Pogues (@poguesofficial) August 9, 2022

Hunt was born in Christchurch, Dorset in May 1950, and joined The Pogues following the departure of original bassist Cait O'Riordan. The first album he appeared on with the band with If I Should Fall From Grace with God, released in 1988.

In their statement about Hunt's death, The Pogues shared a line from 'Love You 'Till The End', which the bass guitarist wrote for their 1996 album, Pogue Mahone.

"This is wretched," Hunt's former bandmate, Spider Stacy, remarked in response to the sad news. "See you around the way, Daz."

Journalist and author Chas Newkey-Burden also paid tribute.

"Oh no. Between the ages of 14 and 21, it seemed like all I did was look forward to seeing the Pogues, see the Pogues, and remember seeing the Pogues," he wrote on Twitter. "And he was always there, swinging his bass from side to side, with that boyish air about him. Lots of love to his friends & family."

Screenwriter and director Declan Lawn said that he will play 'Love You 'Till The End' "a few times today" in Hunt's honour.

"What a song," he added. "Imagine leaving just that behind for future generations to be transported by, never mind everything else. Pure beauty."

See more tributes to Darryl Hunt below: