Joe Murphy, member of British rock band Koopa, dead at 46
Joe Murphy, a member of the British rock band Koopa, has died aged 46.
Koopa hailed from Essex and rose to prominence throughout the early 2000s, becoming the first ever band to enter the UK charts with a digital download single.
The sad news of Murphy’s passing was confirmed by his sister Hollie on social media, who wrote: “For those who knew him, it breaks my heart to say that my big brother, Joe Murphy has passed away. Love you big bro.”
No official cause of death is known for the musician at this time, but according to various outlets, he had been in poor health for a number of years after suffering a cardiac arrest in 2021 and subsequently crashing his car.
The punk rock trio Koopa formed in 2000 and consisted of Murphy on vocals and bass, as well as brothers Stuart and Ollie Cooper on drums and guitar, respectively.
After years of rising the ranks, the band made their breakthrough in 2007 when, after changes to the UK charts system, digital downloads were counted as part of the rankings.
As a result, this meant their single ‘Blag, Steal, or Borrow’ reached number 31 in the charts, becoming the first ever song to do so without a physical release.
Subsequently, Koopa were also credited as the first ever band to enter the top 40 of the UK charts as an unsigned act, based purely on the success of their digital single.
The band remained active for a number of years throughout the 2000s, opening the Isle of Wight Festival in 2007 and being recognised for their achievements as an independent band at the Glasswerk Music Awards the same year.
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