THE WORLD
Updated Tuesday, April 2, 2024-10:21
The musician
Chris Cross
, from
Ultravox
, died on March 25 at the age of 71, but his death, of which no details have been revealed, has not been confirmed until Monday night. The news has been a hard blow for his former bandmate Midge Ure, who has defined Chris as "the glue that held the band together."
In a post on Facebook, Midge wrote: "We worked together, played together, made music and directed videos together. We were instant friends and also Ultravox comrades. Even after years apart, we managed to pick up where we left off as if the intervening years never happened." existed. You were the glue that held the band together. You were the logic in the madness and insanity in our lives. It was great to meet you and grow with you. You are a loved and missed old friend."
Ultravox keyboardist
Billy Currie
added in a statement: "Hi guys. I'm so sorry to hear about Chris. I'm so surprised. We had some amazing times together. Mostly laughing."
Chris, whose real name is
Chris Allen
, was born in London in 1952 and played in several groups before forming a band called the
Tiger Lily Band
in 1974 with John Foxx, Stevie Shears, drummer Warren Cann and keyboardist Billy Currie.
They later changed their name to Ultravox and were fronted by singer
Foxx
during their early years, but he left the band to pursue a solo career in 1979 and was replaced by Midge Ure. They then achieved great success with their fourth album, '
Vienna'
, which was released in 1980.
Chris co-wrote the album's iconic title track, as well as songs such as 'Dancing with Tears in My Eyes' and 'Reap the Wild Wind'.
The group broke up in the late '80s, but got back together for a reunion tour in 2009 and their last album, '
Brilliant'
, was released in 2012.