Widespread commercial success largely eluded Grant Hart and his pioneering indie-rock trio, Husker Du. But the hard-working band emerged as one of the heavyweights of Minneapolis' burgeoning 1980s music scene, and was credited with inspiring genre-defining acts that followed, including Nirvana and the Pixies.
Hart, who died Wednesday after being diagnosed with cancer, was the drummer and co-vocalist for the band he formed with bassist Greg Norton and guitarist-singer Bob Mould in 1978 in St. Paul.
CORRECTS WHERE HE DIED - In this Oct. 6, 2009 photo, former Husker Du drummer Grant Hart poses for a photo in Minneapolis. Hart, 56, died late Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)
The loud, hard-edged trio toured relentlessly and ruled the local music scene, along with Prince and The Replacements.
"They called it punk rock. I always thought it was like this wall of sound," former Twin Cities rock critic P.D. Larson said Thursday. "As they grew, there was definitely some melodic components that weren't immediately evident. They quickly transcended that hard-core label."
Husker Du, named after a Scandinavian board game, "Do you remember?" (Norton said he uttered the phrase as Hart was making up silly lyrics to a song), began as a punk outfit before moving into alternative rock.
The band released a string of critically acclaimed albums before signing with major label Warner Bros. Records. They released two more albums before disbanding in 1987, and Hart later pursued a solo career. Despite never experiencing huge commercial success, Husker Du was seen as a major influence on several acts that did.
Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams was among those artists, tweeting Thursday: "Your music saved my life. It was with me the day I left home. It's with me now. Travel safely to the summerlands."
The 56-year-old Hart died late Wednesday at a Minneapolis hospital from complications of liver cancer and hepatitis C, his wife, Brigid McGough, said in an email to Minnesota Public Radio's The Current. The band's record label also confirmed the death to The Associated Press.
"It was completely unexpected so it is a huge shock," McGough wrote.
CORRECTS WHERE HE DIED - In this Oct. 6, 2009 photo, former Husker Du drummer Grant Hart poses for a photo in Minneapolis. Hart, 56, died late Wednesday, SEPT. 13, 2017, at a Minneapolis hospital from complications of liver cancer and hepatitis C, his wife, Brigid McGough, said in an email to Minnesota Public Radio's The Current. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)
On Thursday, Mould recalled how he met Hart in the fall of 1978, at a nearly empty St. Paul record store: Hart was clerking and the PA system was blaring punk rock.
"The next nine years of my life was spent side-by-side with Grant," Mould wrote on his Facebook page, describing Hart as "a gifted visual artist, a wonderful story teller, and a frighteningly talented musician."
"We (almost) always agreed on how to present our collective work to the world. When we fought about the details, it was because we both cared. The band was our life. It was an amazing decade," Mould wrote.
In a separate post, written to Hart, Norton said: "It was a wild ride, great times, bad times, through all of it, you were my friend first."
Hart's friends had known for months that he was ill with cancer. His last public performance was July 1 in Minneapolis. Hart thought he was going to play with friends but arrived to a surprise tribute being held in his honor.
CORRECTS WHERE HE DIED - In this May 2000 photo, former Husker Du drummer Grant Hart poses for a photo in Minneapolis. Hart, 56, died late Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at a Minneapolis hospital from complications of liver cancer and hepatitis C, his wife, Brigid McGough, said in an email to Minnesota Public Radio's The Current. ( (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)
The event featured longtime collaborators and friends, including Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum and Lori Barbero of Babes in Toyland. Barbero organized the event, asking Hart's fellow musicians to play his songs.
"It was an honor for everybody to be under the same room and spend time with each other — and especially him. It was a very wonderful night," she said.
Record label Numero Group announced this month that a three-disk box set of Husker Du's early work, "Savage Young Du," would be released in November.
LONDON (AP) — Friends, collaborators and fellow musicians have expressed shock and sadness over the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday at age 31.
A look at some of the reactions:
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“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.” — the surviving members of One Direction, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik, in a statement.
“We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.” — Payne’s family, in a statement.
“Liam was not only a pop star and a celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again. What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.” — Cheryl, the Girls Aloud singer and mother of Payne's son Bear Grey Payne, on Instagram.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure. ... We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever.” — Horan, on Instagram.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.” — Styles, on Instagram.
“A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.” — Tomlinson, on Instagram.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.” — Malik, on Instagram.
“This is so difficult to put in words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like? And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.” — Simon Cowell, mentor to One Direction and “X Factor” judge who helped form the band, on Instagram.
“Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heartbreaking. He was such a loving and kind soul. I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him.” — James Corden, on Instagram.
“I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage.” — singer Rita Ora on X.
“Just a boy.” — Anne Twist, mother of Styles, posted on Instagram with a broken-heart emoji.
“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” — “X Factor” official account, on X.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne. It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance. God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones. He will be dearly missed.” — Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, on X.
“I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone.” — singer Charlie Puth, who wrote a song for Payne’s solo debut album, on Instagram.
“So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.” — Paris Hilton, on X.
“We greatly appreciate the compassion and kindness he always showed to people facing hunger and hardship. His death is a very tragic loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.” — Emma Revie, chief executive of the U.K. food bank charity Trussell Trust, in a statement.
“R.I.P. Liam Payne wow I can’t believe it prayers up for the family.” — rapper Juicy J, who had Payne sing on the 2016 track “You,” on X.
“RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking.” — producer and DJ Zedd, who collaborated with Payne on the 2017 song “Get Low,” on X.
A picture of former One Direction singer Liam Payne adorns a memorial outside the hotel where he was found dead after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
FILE - One Direction's Zayn Malik, from left, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles pictured during an interview on Capital Breakfast with Dave Berry and Lisa Snowdon, in their studios in Leicester Square, in London, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (Yui Mok/PA via AP, File)
FILE - Liam Payne arrives for the premiere of "The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader," at the Odeon Leicester Square, in London, Nov. 30, 2010. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)
People gather outside the hotel where former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead after he fell from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
FILE - One Direction members, from left, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Liam Payne perform on NBC's "Today" show, Nov. 13, 2012 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Liam Payne performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, in Swansea, Wales, May 26, 2018. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP, File)
Liam Payne’s 1D bandmates, James Corden and more friends and musicians mourn singer
Liam Payne’s 1D bandmates, James Corden and more friends and musicians mourn singer
