Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer Kenny Morris dead at 68
The founding drummer of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kenny Morris, has passed away at the age of 68.
The tragic news has been confirmed through multiple sources, including on Louder Than War by Morris’ journalist friend, John Robb. No cause of death has been given for his passing.
Robb wrote of Morris’ character: “He was sweet, articulate, artistic and fascinating company and his beautiful eccentricity was adorable.”
Reflecting on their life of friendship together, Robb’s tribute concluded: “It was great to know you, Kenny and we will miss your sweet eccentricity and long WhatsApp messages and your art and your gentle presence in a cruel world.”
Morris’ drumming can be heard on the band’s first two albums, 1978’s The Scream, and 1979’s Join Hands. His two-year stint with the group helped forge their gothic post-punk sound that would go on to influence an entire genre.
He joined the band after seeing them live for the first time; his self-taught drumming technique would bring an extra flavour to their enormous sound.
Morris, along with guitarist John McKay, quit the band in September 1979, following an argument during an in-store record signing.
Morris’s departure from the group meant that Budgie, who was playing with the Slits at the time, took over as the Banshees transitioned to a new wave sound.
Upon his exit from the band, Morris pursued various live drumming and production projects. Following a successful stint in film school, he also used this experience to direct short films.
Soon after, Morris moved to Cork in the early 1990s and was drawn to visual art. In recent years, his paintings have been exhibited at major art shows in Dublin.
Only recently, Morris had begun drumming again with Dublin post-punk goth band Shrine Of The Vampyre.
Additionally, during the pandemic, Morris finished writing his memoir. The book is scheduled for release this year.
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