The The’s Matt Johnson and his father, Edward Charles Johnson
Just a week into his The The comeback tour, bandleader Matt Johnson was hit with devastating news today as he learned that his 86-year-old father, Edward Charles Johnson, had died, according to a statement posted to the band’s official Facebook page.
Johnson, who performed in Denmark last night and is scheduled to play Stockholm tonight, wrote a moving tribute to his father, explaining that he can’t cancel The The’s tour, both for financial reasons, and because “as his health was starting to fail, my dad had made my brother Gerard and I promise that if anything were to happen to him we would both carry on with our careers and make him proud.”
Read Johnson’s full statement below.
EDWARD CHARLES JOHNSON (18-5-32 – 2-6-18)
“It is with very deep sadness and a very heavy heart that I write this statement.
My beloved father passed away this morning whilst I was en route to Stockholm for tonight’s concert.
I am unable to cancel THE THE’s concerts over the next week due to the massive financial implications, but also in recent weeks, as his health was starting to fail, my dad had made my brother Gerard and I promise that if anything were to happen to him we would both carry on with our careers and make him proud.
Anyone who knew our dad will know what a wonderful man he was. A big man in more ways than one he was well read, funny, charming, loyal, brave, a brilliant storyteller and a man with a deep sense of social justice. Above all he was a family man who loved his large family. It has been a privilege to be his son. We spoke every day, I loved him very, very much and his loss to our family is incalculable.
Lesser people than him who might experience some of the heavy blows he suffered in life may have become embittered, yet it had the reverse affect upon him. Despite losing two sons, a wife, and suffering numerous other hardships that life threw at him, he just grew and grew as a human being and in the intensity of his warmth, kindness and empathy.
While this would normally be a private family matter I am making it public because I find myself trapped in the public eye during the coming weeks and I ask for your understanding and for bearing with me during this difficult time.
Thank you”
Matt Johnson
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- The The plays first show in 16 years, opens ‘Comeback Special’ with career-spanning set
- The The expands reunion tour with 3 ‘very low-key’ U.K. warm-up concerts in May
- The The announces new 3-disc ‘Radio Cineola Trilogy’ box set, first concerts in 16 years
- Watch: The The’s emotional new music video for ‘We Can’t Stop What’s Coming’
- The The re-enlists Johnny Marr on first new single in 10 years for Record Store Day
Nicely put.
Sorry for your loss.Beautiful tribute.
I am so sorry to hear of the very recent loss of your lovely father, I fully understand your loss and pain as my beloved Mom and Dad passed away in the last two months, kindest thoughts Karen N
Sorry to hear of the passing of your Father, Eddie. My friends and I thought he was a lovely man, we used to go in The Crown during mid 80s & he was a great landlord. He introduced us to The The. See him also in The Woodman some years later. Your description of your Dad was spot on.