The long-time writer for the NME, political activist and frontman of cult 60's group The Deviants died only weeks before his 70th birthday
Mick Farren has passed away, going out in the only fitting way for someone who lived to the rock and roll mantra so wholeheartedly; by dying on stage doing what he loved in front of the people who loved him. The news of his passing was confirmed in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday night (27 July), who tributes from fans flooding in soon after.
"Hate to break the news but Mick collapsed on stage mid gig and the rest of the festival has been cancelled. I don't know how the old boy is but he was unconscious on stage when the venue was cleared," the post read, with an update coming some hours later confirming the sad news. A statement on The Deviant's page read, "The Deviants and friends all over the world are deeply shocked and saddened after Mick collapsed on stage last night and never regained consciousness, despite heroic efforts by the ambulance crew. Goodbye old friend."
Mick was a noted icon of the psychedelic left and led a counter culture that has lasted up to his death and will probably continue in his passing. Born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, he moved to London in the sixties and founded the Deviants in 1967, releasing three albums until their split in 1969, with Farren producing a solo effort a year later. He soon focused his efforts to writing and was one of the most revered musical journalists of the seventies, famously predicting the rise of the punk movement with his 1976 article 'The Titanic Sails At Dawn.'
Mick died performing with the reformed Deviants at the Borderline Club in London on Saturday (27 July) night, with paramedics unable to revive him during the rush to hospital. Our condolences go out to his family and friends in this difficult time.