Cabaret Voltaire's Richard H. Kirk dies aged 65

Richard H. Kirk's passing was confirmed by Mute this afternoon (21 September). While no cause of death has been shared, the label wrote, "It is with great sadness that we confirm our great & dear friend, Richard H. Kirk has passed away. Richard was a towering creative genius who led a singular & driven path throughout his life & musical career. We will miss him so much. We ask that his family are given space."

It is with great sadness that we confirm our great & dear friend, Richard H. Kirk has passed away.
Richard was a towering creative genius who led a singular & driven path throughout his life & musical career.
We will miss him so much.
We ask that his family are given space. pic.twitter.com/Ok8u3dNx3T

— Mute (@MuteUK) September 21, 2021

The Sheffield-born musician was best known as a member of Cabaret Voltaire, who started out in 1973. After multiple lineup changes, the band became inactive for two decades, until Kirk played as the group’s sole member at 2014's Berlin’s Atonal festival.

Last year he released Cabaret Voltaire's Shadow of Fear album (the first in 26 years), and in February Kirk released the Shadow of Funk EP. He also released two drone albums Dekadrone and BN9Drone earlier this year.