Living in a Box singer Richard Darbyshire dead at 65
Richard Darbyshire, singer with synth-pop band Living in a Box, has died aged 65.
The band formed in Sheffield in 1985 but didn’t rise to prominence in 1987 with the release of their debut single, also titled ‘Living in a Box’, which charted at number five in the UK charts.
The group released two albums, 1987’s Living in a Box and 1989’s Gatecrashing, before parting ways in 1990. They later reunited, without Darbyshire, in 2016, and last performed live in 2024.
In a statement, Darbyshire’s family confirmed news of his passing to the BBC, “We are all very sad but his memory and songs will live on.”
No cause of death has been revealed.
His former bandmates, Anthony ‘Tich’ Critchlow and Marcus Vere, have also issued a statement on Instagram, writing, “Richard was an incredible talent – what a voice! His vocal skills knew no bounds, from the driving raw power of our first, eponymous hit song, to the tender heart-melting charm of ‘Room In Your Heart’, Richard, truly, could do it all.”
They continued, “His guitar playing, though less recognised, was equally accomplished. As a songwriter, Richard was at the heart of everything we did; a pure craftsman and a master of his art.”
Living in a Box went on to describe him as “the most reluctant of ‘pop stars’. always eschewing the limelight that inevitably came with the success we had. He hated the photo shoots, the interviews, the TV appearances, and thought it was a bit daft. He was happiest in the studio, guitar in hand, working on the next song.”
They emotionally concluded the tribute, “Richard, wherever you are, Tich and I will miss you dearly. The laughs we had, the wildcat ride we went on, will never be forgotten.”
Following his departure from Living in a Box, Darbyshire released the solo album, 1994’s How Many Angels, and also wrote for other artists, including Lisa Stansfield and Level 42. He had spent recent years hosting songwriting workshops in London.
Darbyshire is survived by his vocal coach wife, Sonia Jones.
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