Damon Albarn’s architect father, Keith, has died, aged 85, it was announced today (August 13).
The father of the Blur frontman was an expert in art and design, having written many books and articles on the subject, as well as appearing on many TV and radio shows.
Keith passed away on July 25 after being diagnosed with cancer. As per an obituary in The Times, Keith was best known for his academic research into patterns and was a trustee at The Minories and Colchester Arts Centre. He was slo head of the School for Art, Design and Media at the Colchester Institute. Read More
Keith initially trained as an architect but eventually worked as an artist. The Times described him as a “creator of sensory space-age playgrounds in urban areas and an influential teacher.”
He married his wife Hazel while a student studying at the Nottingham School of Art. After moving to London, Keith went on to study sculpture at the Hammersmith School of Art.
With his wife Hazel and friend Ian Knight, they set up ‘Keith Albarn and Partners Ltd’ on Kingly Street and they became immersed in the London art scene of the swinging ‘60s.
Indeed, Keith helped to organise Yoko Ono’s first exhibition at the Indica Gallery where she met John Lennon for the first time.
English artist Keith Albarn with Ian Knight (left) – CREDIT: R. McPhedran/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
After opening his establishment, Keith was thoroughly embedded in the London art scene and in 1966 he helped to organise Yoko Ono’s, 91, first exhibition at the Indica Gallery, where Yoko met John Lennon for the first time. In 1967, he also hosted the first exhibition of work by Malcolm McLaren.
Keith had two children with his wife Hazel, Britpop legend Damon, 56, and daughter Jessica, 53, who is an artist.
You can see some of the tributes to Keith here:
Keith Albarn was an architect and designer deeply involved in the psychedelic movement from the 60s: he did the Fun Palace, managed Soft Machine, worked on early Pink Floyd shows and organized Yoko Ono's first exhibition at the Indica Gallery where she met Lennon. RIP Keith 💔 pic.twitter.com/7f3OmsUZ3s
— Damon Albarn Unofficial (@DamonUnofficial) August 13, 2024
RIP Keith Albarn. I was lucky enough to meet him. He was kind enough to sit & chat & signed his design sheet for me. I told him Graham had mentioned him in his latest book, to which Keith was surprised and pleased to hear.
Sending all our love to his family and friends 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wVfKyqx9b4
— Blur Fan Club (@blurfanclub) August 13, 2024
We just found out that Damon's dad, Keith Albarn, recently passed away. Keith was a brilliant artist and innovator, and a loving father & human being. We'd like to send our most heartfelt condolences to Damon and his family in this difficult moment.
RIP Keith Albarn 💔
— Damon Albarn Unofficial (@DamonUnofficial) August 13, 2024
Keith Albarn presenting the Fun Palace on BBC Tomorrow's world in 1967. pic.twitter.com/uxfkimlsBu
— Damon Albarn Unofficial (@DamonUnofficial) August 13, 2024
Very sad news about Damon Albarns dad best wishes to his family
R.i.p Keith Albarn
— out of touch artist (@damonwoohooman) August 13, 2024
In other news, the future Blur remains somewhat uncertain, with Damon recently announcing that the band’s show at weekend two of Coachella 2024 would “probably [be] our last gig”. However, since then, Rowntree has thrown doubt on the comments, and suggested that there may still be more to come from the group.
“There’s still tons of stuff we could do… It’s about finding an offer that’s very hard to say no to,” he said. “When we first got back together in 2009, we were very happy to be the first people to play what has become the British Summer Time Festival at Hyde Park. Then we were asked to headline the party to end the 2012 Olympics, and you can’t say no to that.”
“So there’s absolutely no reason why we couldn’t consider another interesting idea, if we’re all available,” he added. “But there’s absolutely nothing in the diary for Blur at the moment.”
What is confirmed for now is that the band will soon be releasing a concert film of the Wembley gigs, titled Blur: Live at Wembley Stadium. It’ll arrive in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on September 6.
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