Pulp bassist Steve Mackey has died aged 56 - tributes pour in from the music world

Steve Mackey, the bass guitarist of Britpop icons Pulp Steve Mackey has died, aged 56. The group, known for hits including Common People and Disco 2000, announced the sad news on their social media pages on Thursday.

Alongside a photo of Mackey climbing in the Andes, the band wrote: "Our beloved friend & bass player Steve Mackey passed away this morning. Our thoughts are with his family & loved ones.

"This photo of Steve dates from when Pulp were on tour in South America in 2012. We had a day off & Steve suggested we go climbing in the Andes. So we did.

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“And it was a completely magical experience. Far more magical than staring at the hotel room wall all day (which is probably what we’d have done otherwise).

“Steve made things happen. In his life and in the band. And we’d very much like to think that he’s back in those mountains now, on the next stage of his adventure.

“Safe travels, Steve. We hope to catch up with you one day. All our love xx”

Steve studied at the Royal College of Art and later joined Sheffield-formed band Pulp in 1989. He played across many of the band’s most successful studio albums including 1994’s His ‘n’ Hers, which gained them prominence in the UK, and their chart-topping albums 1995’s Different Class and 1998’s This Is Hardcore.

The group’s best known line-up consisted of frontman Jarvis Cocker, Russell Senior, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Mark Webber and Mackey.

Last year, frontman Jarvis confirmed the group were reuniting for a series of concerts and festivals in 2023 including at the Neighbourhood Weekender in Warrington in May. Although bassist Steve was not due to appear at the upcoming shows.

Outside of his work in Pulp, Mackey also