Blancmange member Stephen Luscombe has passed away, prompting bandmate Neil Arthur to honor the musician. The duo, known for hits like Living on the Ceiling and Waves, achieved fame in the 1980s. Their success included three albums – Happy Families, Mange Tout, and Believe You Me.
After a split in 1986, the duo reunited in the late 2000s to release Blanc Burn in 2011, after which Stephen departed due to health issues. Neil continued under the Blancmange moniker solo. Neil recently expressed his grief for Stephen, calling him keyboardist Stephen in a heartfelt message to the Mirror.
Devoted fans and a New Wave fan page also mourned Stephen’s passing. Formed in 1979 in Harrow, Blancmange, originally a trio with Laurence Stevens, found success with tracks like Sad Day. The band’s name was inspired by the dessert blancmange. Stephen’s health struggles, including heart problems and an abdominal aortic aneurysm, led him to step back from the music scene.
Neil carried on the Blancmange legacy with the help of session musicians. Stephen, influenced by artists like Brian Eno and Frank Zappa, left a lasting impact on the music world.