Massive Attack confirm death of guitarist Angelo Bruschini

Bristol-born musician confirmed he had lung cancer in a social media post in July

Massive Attack has confirmed the death of their guitarist Angelo Bruschini months after the Bristol-born musician confirmed he had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Bruschini was 62.

The guitarist shared his diagnosis on social media in July, saying that several specialists had wished him “good luck” in battling the condition.

On Tuesday, Massive Attack confirmed the death of Bruschini in a statement on their social media channels that read: “A singularly brilliant and eccentric talent.

“Impossible to quantify your contribution to the Massive Attack canon.

“How lucky we were to share such a life together.”

Sharing the same black-and-white image of the guitarist on Instagram, the band added that they were “devastated” over the loss.

The trip-hop band was formed in the 1980s and secured two number-one albums in the UK with Mezzanine and 100th Window, as well as winning a Brit award in 1996 for best British dance act and outstanding contribution to British music prize at the Ivor Novello Awards in 2009.

In July this year, Bruschini wrote a post on Facebook updating fans about his cancer diagnosis.

He wrote: “Twice now I have been told ‘Good luck’ by specialists at the hospital over lung cancer, I think I’m f***ed!

“Had a great life, seen the world many many times, met lots of wonderful people, but the door is closing, think I will write a book.”

Angelo Bruschini of Massive Attack (Redferns via Getty Images)

Outside his work with Massive Attack, Bruschini produced Strangelove's eponymous album in 1997 and played guitar for Jane Taylor's award-winning single “Blowing This Candle Out” in 2005.

Angelo’s wife, Jessica, also shared the news of his death on social media, writing: “I am very sad to announce that my beautiful husband, Angelo Bruschini, died on 23rd October 2023 at 12.15am. It was from a rare and aggressive cancer.”

Many fellow musicians responded to Massive Attack’s post paying tribute to the artist.

“I was at school with Angelo in the seventies,” wrote Roger Waters’s guitarist Dave Kilminster. “Thin Lizzy had just released their fifth album Fighting, and I remember we played the track ‘Suicide’ together… just messing around with the guitar harmonies. “Unfortunately we were sort of ‘guitar rivals’ though, so we never stayed in touch… still shocking news though…”

Producer and DJ Jody Wisternoff added: “Oh noo :( f***, so sorry to hear about this !! RIP.”

Bruschini is survived by his wife Jessica Merritt and their son Joel.