Mark E. Smith: Frontman of British post-punk band the Fall, dead at 60

ABC NEWS

Mark E. Smith, frontman of the prolific and influential U.K. post-punk band the Fall, died this morning at his home. He was 60.

Smith's passing was announced via a Facebook post from the Fall's manager Pam Vander.

Smith had battled a number of ailments during the past year, including throat, dental and respiratory issues that forced him to cancel U.K. shows in November 2017 and a U.S. tour earlier last year.

Smith formed the Fall in 1976 and was the only constant member in the group, which underwent frequent lineup changes. The band released more than 30 studio albums over the years and scored a few hits on the U.K. indie charts during the early 1980s.

The Fall even broke into the top 40 of the U.K.'s pop singles chart twice, in 1987 with "There's a Ghost in My House" and 1988 with a cover of The Kinks' "Victoria."

The Fall's edgy, guitar-driven sound was highlighted by Smith's nasal, slurred spoke-sung vocals and cryptic lyrics.

Cranberries: Singer Dolores O'Riordan Dead at 46

LONDON (AP) — Dolores O'Riordan, lead singer of Irish rock band The Cranberries, died suddenly on Monday. She was 46.

O'Riordan died in London, where she was recording, publicist Lindsey Holmes said.

"No further details are available at this time," Holmes said, adding that the singer's family was "devastated" by the news.

Formed in Limerick, Ireland at the end of the 1980s, The Cranberries became international stars in the 90s with hits including "Zombie" and "Linger" that fused the alternative rock edge with Celtic-infused pop tunefulness.

O'Riordan was The Cranberries' chief lyricist and co-songwriter, and her powerful, sometimes wailing, voice was key to the band's distinctive sound.

The group's 1993 debut album "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" sold millions of copies and produced the hit single "Linger."

The follow-up, "No Need to Argue," sold in even greater numbers and contained "Zombie," a howl against Northern Ireland's violent Troubles that topped singles charts in several countries.

The Cranberries released the acoustic album "Something Else" in 2017 and had been due to tour Europe and North America. The tour was cut short because O'Riordan was suffering from back problems.

Tom Bailey: New Single 'Come So Far'

Tom Bailey's fantastic new single entitled 'Come So Far' is available at pledge music as a limited edition 7" coloured vinyl.

You can pre-order your copy at www.thompsontwinstombailey.co.uk

and watch Tom Bailey as he talks about his new band and his return to the stage after a break of 27 years.