David Bowie bass guitarist Matthew Seligman dies of coronavirus aged 64
THE renowned bassist who played with David Bowie at Live Aid in 1985 has died from the coronavirus.
Matthew Seligman, 64, had been battling Covid-19 for two weeks and had been on a ventilator at St George’s Hospital in London.
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Seligman rose to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the cult band The Soft Boys and the Thompson Twins, as well as playing with singer Thomas Dolby.
Dolby, 61, confirmed the news of his friend’s death and said a candlelight vigil would be held on YouTube live on April 19, to remember Seligman.
He said: “Matthew would want us to remember the good times and have a party.”
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Soft Boys leader Robyn Hitchcock paid tribute to his former bandmate who played on the acclaimed Underwater Moonlight, saying: “Everybody goes, but none of us were expecting Matthew to leave us so abruptly, forever.
“I’m profoundly grateful to have played music with him – you could really see his face light up like a full moon when he listened back to a take he enjoyed.
“Onstage he would lope and lurch and pace when the music moved him. Matthew is, was, and always will be one of the greats.”
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Seligman was born in Cyprus and raised in England, with the bassist first coming to prominence as a founding member of Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club.
Matthew also had short-lived spells with The Fallout Club, The Thompson Twins, The Dolphin Brothers and joined Dolby’s solo group.
He later built up a reputation as a session musician and collaborated with Morrissey, Tori Amos, Sinead O’Connor and David Bowie.
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He was part of Bowie’s Live Aid set in 1985 which was seen by an audience of billions and also featured on his next two albums.
Seligman later moved to Japan for a few years in 2000 before returning to the UK and changing professions to law, specialising in human rights.
He leaves behind son Deji, daughter Lily, and Mami, his partner and Lily’s mother.
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