Acclaimed Producer Mark Bell Has Died

Known for his eclectic tastes and wide influence, the music industry has lost Mark Bell. His record label announced his death today.

We lost a house music icon today.

Famed producer Mark Bell, who has worked with artists such as Bjork, was pronounced dead this month. Although the official cause of death has yet to be determined, CNN reports that the producer died following complications from a surgery he had earlier last week.

Bell’s record label made an official statement today about the loss of Bell. A label representative said:

It’s with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Mark Bell of LFO who died last week from complications after an operation. Mark’s family & friends request privacy at this difficult time.

Bell’s musical touch could be found on some of the most compelling house and experimental music released in the past few decades. His main work was with LFO, who pioneered the acid house music of the 1980s and 1990s. They were one of the most iconic EDM groups of that time, when EDM was hitting its peak stride. His work with LFO began as a collaboration with partner Gez Varley, but after Varley left, LFO became Bell’s own. With Bell’s sudden passing, it is unlikely that LFO will continue.

Bell not only was an influential musician in his own work, but was a skilled producer with an ear for off-kilter, house-inspired collaborations. He worked with Bjork on many of her projects. In fact, without his ingenuity, Bjork’s live sounds wouldn’t be the same. Bell created the backbone for her live music sequencing. He can also be seen in her music video for “Declare Independence,” suspended above the ground in a surreal pose.

In addition to his work with Bjork, Bell remixed songs from Depeche Mode and Radiohead. Some of his many musical alter-egos include Clark, Clark & Lofthouse, Counterpoint, Fawn and Speed Jack. He was a prolific artist who released hours of inspired electronic and house music since his debut on the scene in the late 1980s.

Bell produced Depeche Mode’s Exciter, which was released in 2001. He was one of the masterminds behind Bjork’s biggest success Homogenic, and went on to tour with her and collaborate on six additional records.

Bjork paid tribute to her late collaborator on her Facebook page. She posted LFO’s track “Love Is The Message” as a status after the news of Bell’s death broke.

Take a look at Bell’s appearance in her music video below:

Or listen to one of his own songs from LFO: