Guitarist Angelo Bruschini, of the band Massive Attack, died in the early hours of Tuesday (24/10) at the age of 62, a victim of lung cancer. The announcement was posted on the British group’s social networks, which revered Bruschini as a “singularly brilliant and original talent”, highlighting the impossibility of quantifying his contribution to Massive Attack’s music. “How lucky we were to share a life together,” the text adds.
Massive Attack was formed in 1988, in the city of Bristol, England, by Robert “3D” Del Naja, Adrian “Tricky” Thaws, Andrew “Mushroom” Vowles and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall1. The band’s first album, “Blue Lines”, was released in 1991, featuring the single “Unfinished Sympathy”, which reached the charts and was later voted the 63rd best song of all time in a poll conducted by music publication NME.
Bruschini’s legacy
Guitarist Angelo Bruschini, formerly of Blue Aeroplanes, joined Massive Attack in 1995, during the “Protection” tour, contributing to the construction of the group’s musical identity. Bruschini’s career with the band was marked by important collaborations, particularly on the albums “Mezzanine” (1998) and “100th Window” (2003). Both reached the top of the UK charts and produced hits such as “Teardrop”, which ended up becoming the opening theme for the American series “House”, and “Angel”.
The song “Angel”, from the album “Mezzanine”, is one of the most emblematic works in which Bruschini’s guitar stands out. The song is driven by a “wall of guitars” and exemplifies Bruschini’s crucial role in enriching Massive Attack’s electronic sound with analog elements, providing an organic texture that contrasts with the prevailing digital precision.
“Angel” also became the group’s best-known song in Brazil, thanks to its transformation into the opening theme of the soap opera “Verdades Secretas”, broadcast in 2021 on Globo.
Cancer diagnosis
In July, Bruschini shared his lung cancer diagnosis and worsening health on his Facebook account. In the post he reflects on his life, mentioning the possibility of writing a book.
Despite his diagnosis, he continued to write and publish criticism of the British Conservative government until his final days.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
