RIP Mark E Smith

[Deebank]

He was still capable of greatness right up to the end.

Nice to read that, 'cos I really do think that last album had some great moments. It was pleasing to long-term Fall fans at the very least, many of whom probably didn't think the band (and MES) still had it in them.

Still the best band I ever saw... and the worst, but I suspect that’s just the way he’d want it.

[Goat Boy]

He's one of those people where regardless of how much you like The Fall the world is that little bit dimmer tonight.

[toomanyhatz]

Ooh, particularly love this quote:

One thing that really annoys me is that stream of consciousness thing. I wouldn't let on to it normally, but it annoys the shit out of me. I put a lot of hard sweat into them, I think about them. They have an inner logic to me so I don't really care who understands them or not. I see writing and singing as two very different things. My attitude is if you can't deliver it like a garage band, fuck it. That's one thing that's never been explored, delivering complex things in a very straightforward rock 'n' roll way. My old excuse is if I'd wanted to be a poet, I'd have been a poet.

[Ranking Ted]

I guess it shouldn’t be a shock - but it is. You just kind of expected him to be there forever.

An absolute one-off, unrepeatable sui generis and so compelling as a character as well as a band leader. RIP.

[Rayge]

Nothing to add to what's been said so eloquently already

[Jumper K]

I’ll never forget his set at The Bulldog Bash in front of a tent full of bemused Hells Angels, whoever booked the band must have been taking the piss, as indeed was MES. The set ended with MES disdainfully waving at the distinctly unimpressed crowd at the bar. I offered to buy him a drink. He told me to fuck off. You couldn’t call me a fan per se but the world will be a poorer and less interesting place without him in it.

[Nikki Gradual]

Syd Barrett was the big one for me.

Me too. Him and Nikki Sudden and Gerry Ragavoy.

[naughty boy]

Gary Lucas - GARY LUCAS! - posted on Facebook that The Fall were his ‘favourite group for a long long time’

Lots of really nice tributes/stories on Twitter

[Nikki Gradual]

Losing Mark E Smith is like watching the last vinyl record shop close down on your High Street.
RIP.

[Tom Waits For No One]

He sent me a hand written copy of the lyrics to Bingo Master Breakout when I wrote to him to say our band wanted to play it live but we couldn't make out all the words.

He said that the "price for this unholy thievery" was to buy him a drink when they played Middlesborough Rock Garden.

I was 15, couldn't get to the gig to buy him that drink.

[naughty boy]

See? A nice guy

[yomptepi]

I wrote to him when Grotesque came out, with some fairly dull questions about the lyrics and things. He replied on a postcard and answered them all. I still have that card somewhere...

[Goat Boy]

I love reading things like that.

That's the thing with people. They can be awful but lovely too. Nice to read about a different side to him.

[Snarfyguy]

Look after yourself John and play 'Psycho Mafia' for me. x

The first Fall song I really loved!

"In My Area" here.

[Nikki Gradual]

[Still the best band I ever saw... and the worst

Funnily enough, that is precisely the line I used about them.

[sloopjohnc]

Lots of really nice tributes/stories on Twitter

There are. It's kinda nice.

[fange]

RIP man, and thank you for the music.

[martha]

So sorry John. Wish I could hug you and share a bottle of something while listening to them with you tonight.

[naughty boy]

thanks Martha x

[BARON CORNY DOG]

I think The Fall are probably as great as any British band from after the punk explosion. With that said, a little goes a long way with me and I only actually listen to them once or twice a year. Like most things, I finally got to hear them in the 90s. I wish I had heard them earlier, I can see how they would be absolutely formative. Respect to MES. Condolences to JC.