Shock at death of band’s popular frontman
AN outpouring of grief and tributes has flooded in to a ‘happy, bubbly’ and ‘super talented’ young musician from Great Harwood who has suddenly passed away.
As the frontman of local band, Fighting Rhythm, Jack Anwyl was renowned on the music scene, locally and nationally, as an outstanding singer and guitarist.
The popular musician was originally half of local acoustic duo Bad Cardigan, who were formed in 2011 and performed at gigs and concerts across the UK and beyond.
Known for original and alternative rock, the band appeared at a number of events and festivals across the UK, notably supporting the Levellers and New Model Army in 2015 and appearing at the first live music event to be staged in 140 years at Blackburn Museum in 2014.
Mr Anwyl, who also worked for the NHS, formed four-part garage punk band Fighting Rhythm in 2019, who again, rose to prominence nationwide and played with The Levellers at the 02 Academy in Brixton and the O2 Academy in Birmingham.
Fighting Rhythm also amassed huge popularity at venues around the region, including Hoghton Tower, Bowland Brewery at Holmes Mill, The Belgrave in Darwen, and Darwen Live festival.
Local band member and fellow musician
Gary Taylor, 36, said:
“We are just devastated, in the whole of the local music scene.
“He was such a lovely guy - and it’s totally out of the blue. He was a wonderful guy and it’s just unbelievably sad. He was always trying to make you laugh and smile - it’s very, very sad.
“He was just always happy and joking, and someone he was just absolutely lovely.
“We had a mutual love of a band called City and Colour, and that’s my main memory of him. He was super talented as a singer and guitarist, and an incredible performer. He also worked for the NHS, so I understand, and he was just such a caring character.
“Jack was prolific on the music scene - there were hundreds of people who loved him. When you met up with him, you could just pick up where you’d left off, even if you’d not seen him for ages. He was so cheerful, singing at every opportunity that he could, even if he wasn’t gigging. He did solo stuff as well, and there will be hundreds of people left very sad about his passing.”
The band paid tribute to him as their ‘great friend, brother, joker, confidante, supremely talented frontman and all around beautiful human being’ on their Facebook page.
“Those who knew him know that he loved to laugh (and share videos of himself performing with The Levellers). It goes without saying that a huge void has been left in all of our lives.”
John McCaughey described his ‘shock’ at hearing the ‘tragic news’, commenting on
Facebook: “He was so full of life and a big talent. Big love and respect to the Fighting Rhythm dudes and of course his family and friends.”
Similarly, Tree Saed commented: “He had such a way with people he supported. Kind and really creative. Words are inadequate but condolences to all those he loved and loved him.”
Beki Dotty Hughes also commented: “I always admired his talent. Lancashire has lost a true gem.”
Fellow band members Brendan Russell, Sean Berry and Dale Grogan said: “We’ve never felt heartbreak like it, to have lost a brother like this is devastating. We can’t imagine never playing music with that man again and it’s soul destroying.”