Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn Faces Heartbreaking Family Tragedy

The Gorillaz and Blur musician is working through the loss.

Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn is mourning the loss of his father Keith, as revealed in an obituary published in The Times. According to Radar, it’s believed that Damon placed the obituary himself, acknowledging Keith as a major influence on his musical career.

“Damon’s dad was a massive inspiration on him – personally and creatively,” a source told Radar. “His sensory work inspired Damon’s stage shows, and he worshipped him as a stable, honest father figure. Damon always talked about how Keith made him the best dad he could be.”

The obituary details that Keith Albarn was the “creator of sensory space-age playgrounds in urban areas and an influential teacher.” It confirms that he passed away due to cancer on July 23, 2024, at the age of 85. Keith was not just an artist and architect but also a dedicated teacher with a rich legacy of innovative work.

In recent years, Damon Albarn has often credited his father for his role as a guiding figure in his life. The frontman, who is also a father to a 24-year-old daughter, has credited his decision to kick “drink and drugs” to his father’s influence. He has mentioned feeling “more like my dad now than I ever have.”

Keith Albarn married Hazel Dring in 1963 after meeting her at Nottingham School of Art. They welcomed two children, Damon and his sister Jessica, 53. Keith’s relationship with his family has often been held as an example of love and dedication.

The loss of his father is particularly poignant for Damon Albarn, given the recent joyous events in his professional life. Blur had a significant reunion at Coachella and hosted shows at Wembley Stadium last year to support their “The Ballad of Darren” album. “We came away all still friends, having had a lot of fun doing the shows,” said drummer Dave Rowntree. “So there’s absolutely no reason why we couldn’t consider another interesting idea, if we’re all available. But there’s absolutely nothing in the diary for Blur at the moment.”