808 State’s Andrew Barker has died

IMAGE: MARCUS MOONEN/VIA FLICKR

Keyboardist, bassist and member of pioneering acid house band 808 State Andrew “Andy” Barker has died. The Manchester band confirmed Barker’s passing on social media. An Instagram post on Saturday with a photo of Barker included the caption:

“After a happy life Andrew Barker experienced a short period of illness and passed away in his hometown of Manchester yesterday, Saturday 6th November. His family and friends asks that people respect their privacy at this time but remember him for the joy he brought through his personality and music. You’ll be sadly missed”

The message was also shared on Twitter.

Barker was inspired by his love of hip hop and electronic music to begin DJ’ing as a teenager. Together with Darren Partington he formed one half of the Spinmasters duo, while later joining 808 State following the departure of Gerald Simpson. During his time with the band, he would go on to release six albums and a collection of EPs and work with artists including Björk. 

Barker was 53 at the time of his death. Further details have yet to be shared, while tributes from peers and fans have been widely shared across Twitter and other social media platforms. 

Listen to 808 State’s seminal 1991 hit In Yer Face below.