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Tributes pour in as Inspiral Carpets’ Craig Gill dies aged 44

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By Benjamin Cassidy

Image: Lee Boswell


Among the likes of Manchester’s legendary big names in the music industry, such as The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Oasis, are countless other bands who may be lesser known by many. These bands, however, have always had and always will have a very special place in the hearts of the many fans who remember seeing them first time around, as well as the admiration and respect of their peers. Among them are Inspiral Carpets, who Noel Gallagher was a roadie for before he joined Oasis. Sadly, at the age of only 44, Inspiral’s drummer Craig Gill died suddenly last week.

Liam Gallagher, Noel’s brother, was one of the first to post a tribute on Twitter:

Indeed, such was the affection for Gill, that tributes poured in from far and wide. Ex Manchester City footballer Paul Dickov posted that he was “Shocked by the tragic passing away” of Craig Gill and fellow Inspiral band member and close friend Clint Boon reacted to the tributes with this tweet:

As a tribute to this much-loved man and talented musician, his childhood friend, Rob McCoy has set up a campaign to get one of the bands singles to the number one spot in time for Christmas, by purchasing it via download.  Part of the tribute is also a web-site where friends, colleagues and fans can share their thoughts on Gill, and view photographs and stories about the man who Peter Hook described as, “One of the happiest, smiliest people I’d ever met in this business.”

There is no denying the effect on people and their sadness, following the loss of this local lad. It has been felt deeply in the many communities of which he was a part, and evidently had touched with his energy, enthusiasm and love. It seems there can be no better tribute than to keep his memory alive, than by a collaboration from all who cared for him, and getting Inspiral Carpets to the Christmas 2016 Number One spot. For a man who loved his fans and his bandmates, the feeling from those who knew him best is that this is exactly what he would have wanted. The challenge for them now is to see if they can achieve this.


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