David Longdon of prog band Big Big Train has died after an accident
His bandmate Greg Spawton said: "I loved him like a brother and already feel his loss very deeply"
Tributes have been paid to David Longdon, the frontman and multi-instrumentalist with prog outfit Big Big Train who has died aged 56.
In a statement shared with Prog Magazine, the band said that Langdon died in hospital in Nottingham following an accident. No other cause of death has been given.
His partner Sarah Ewing said: “David and I were best friends, partners and soul mates and I am utterly devastated by his loss. He was a beautiful person and I feel so lucky to have known and loved him.”
Big Big Train’s Greg Spawton said: “We are absolutely stunned to lose David. It is unspeakably cruel that a quirk of fate in the early hours of yesterday morning has deprived him and his loved ones of a happy future together and all of the opportunities, both personal and musical, that awaited him next year and beyond.”
He added: “David made a huge impact on my life both musically and personally. I loved him like a brother and already feel his loss very deeply. He was a true creative visionary with extraordinary depth of talent. But above all he was a first rate and very kind man. His family, friends, BBT bandmates and crew will miss him terribly.”
Having previously performed with the band The Gift Horse, Longdon had previously auditioned to front Genesis after Phil Collins’ departure in 1996. He joined Big Big Train in 2009, and went on to record nine studio albums with them.
Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett also paid tribute on Twitter, sharing footage of him and Longdon performing a co-written 2015 update of Hackett’s ‘Spectral Mornings’ on stage.
“I’m very sad to hear of David Longdon’s passing,” Hackett said. “He was a lovely guy and had a wonderful voice. He sounded fabulous singing on the vocal version of Spectral Mornings.”
Last year Longdon released a collaboration with the late folk musician Judy Dyble. Big Big Train said that on the day before his accident he had been in the studio working on a new solo album.
His last album with Big Big Train, ‘Welcome To The Planet’, was announced earlier this year. The band said that it remains scheduled for release as planned on January 28, 2022. A statement regarding planned live shows will be shared in due course.