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Chris Cross, the bassist who rose to fame as a member of the rock band Ultravox, has died aged 72.
The news was announced by his bandmate Midge Ure, who paid tribute to “the glue that held the band together”.
“We worked together, we played together, made music and directed videos together. We were instant friends as well as Ultravox comrades,” Ure wrote in a post shared from the band’s Instagram account.
“Even after years apart we managed to pick up where we left off like the years in between never existed. You were the glue that held the band together. You were the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives. It was great to know and grow with you. You are loved and missed old friend.”
Born Chris Allen, the musician reportedly died on 25 March, but the news was shared with the public this week.
Ultravox (styled as Ultravox!) formed in London in 1974 and initially performed under the name Tiger Lily. They achieved a number of Top 10 albums and 17 hit singles between 1980 and 1986, including their 1981 No 2 single “Vienna” from the album of the same name.
“Vienna” is widely regarded as a defining song of the synth-pop scene that dominated the UK in the early Eighties, and was performed by the band during the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium.
More to follow…
