Martin Duffy dead: Primal Scream keyboardist dies aged 55 as devastated bandmates share emotional tributes

PRIMAL Scream legend Martin Duffy has died aged 55.

The musician played keyboard for the band, featuring on their debut 1987 album Sonic Flower Groove.

He also stepped in to help The Charlatans last minute following the death of founding member Rob Collins when they supported Oasis at Knebworth in 1996.

Paying tribute, Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie said: "Hard to write this. We never know how to speak around death other than polite platitudes. All I want to say is that our soul brother Martin Duffy passed away on Sunday.

"He suffered a brain injury due to a fall at his home in Brighton. We in Primal Scream are all so sad.

"I've known Martin since he was a teenager in Felt. He played keyboards on every album of ours from the first to the last. Finally joining the band in 1991.

"Martin was a very special character. He had a love and understanding of music on a deep spiritual level. Music meant everything to him. He loved literature and was well read and erudite."

Gillespie said Duffy had been "an autodidact"; and "a deep thinker" who was "curious about the world and other cultures".

He concluded: "He lived to laugh and play music. He was loved by all of us in the Scream. A beautiful soul. We will miss him."

The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess said: "Another tragic loss of a beautiful soul.

"Martin Duffy stepped in to save The Charlatans when we lost Rob – he played with us at Knebworth and was a true friend.

"He toured with me in my solo band too – he was a pleasure to spend time with. Safe travels Duffy."

Oasis star Liam Gallagher also paid tribute, saying: "RIP Duffy Primal Scream dya know what I mean."

Birmingham-born Duffy started his music career aged 16 when he joined Indie band Felt.

He then played keyboard for Primal Scream on a part-time basis before signing up full-time.

Duffy was with the band for three decades and guested on frontman Bobby Gillespie‘s 2020 album Utopian Ashes.

As well as joining The Charlatans on stage he also played on their 1997 LP Tellin' Stories.

A cause of death has not been released.

The tragedy comes after fellow star Terry Hall from band The Specials passed away following a "brief illness".

The ska legend was described as "the most genuine of souls" in an emotional tribute from his former bandmates.