Darrell Bath

December 24, 1966 - September 27, 2021

Often spoken of as the missing link between glam and punk rock, guitarist Darrell Bath has died at the age of 54. One of the most modest artists on the British scene, Bath played with Ian Hunter, the Dogs D’Amour, The Vibrators, UK Subs, the Heavy Metal Kids, The Godfathers, The Crybabys, Nikki Sudden, Die Toten Hosen and others. Just before he passed away due to as-yet unannounced cause, he was preparing to launch Ventriloquism, a new project with Eddie Edwards of The Vibrators.

Bath became an associate of former Mott The Hoople frontman Ian Hunter following the death of Mick Ronson in 1993.

They met at the sessions for Hunter’s 1994 album Dirty Laundry and worked together on and off for the following six years. “Darrell Bath was a fine guitarist and a walking lyric,” commented Hunter. “I’ve always loved ‘characters’ in the bands I’ve been in. He will be missed.”

“This is another sad day for rock’n’roll,” said Spike of the Quireboys. “Darrell’s guitar playing was beyond belief. I’m so honoured to have known him, to have written great songs with him and performed so many shows with him.”

Charlie Harper of the UK Subs hailed Bath as “one of the greatest guitarists of our era”.