Liverpool band Echo & The Bunnymen have been rocked after keyboard player Jake Brockman was killed in a bike crash.
Emerging from Liverpool’s hugely energetic post-punk scene, Echo & The Bunnymen became cult icons. Mixing influences such as Television with 60s garage groups the band soon found their own sound.
Albums such as ‘Ocean Rain’ have become well regarded classics, as Echo & The Bunnymen fought with U2 for supremacy in the UK. History may show that the Irish group won the chart battle, but Echo & The Bunnymen retain a special place in the hearts of music fans.
The band are still touring hard, with an upcoming hometown date scheduled for later in the year. However Echo & The Bunnymen were rocked last night after their keyboard player Jake Brockman was killed in a motorbike crash.
Beginning life as a member of the band’s sound crew Brockman became their touring keyboard player. Made a full time member in 1989, Jake Brockman became an integral part of their success notably on the Top Ten album ‘Evergreen’.
BBC News reports that the musician died when his bike collided with a converted ambulance near Kirk Michael on the Isle Of Man on Tuesday (September 1st). A spokesman for the Isle of Man Police confirmed Mr Brockman’s death.
A statement from his family revealed their grief. “Jake was always a classic bike enthusiast, he loved sailing though he was invariably seasick. Music was central to Jake’s life.”
Echo & The Bunnymen state simply on their website that: “Our thoughts are with his wife, family & friends”.
