The legendary Mark E. Smith died January 24th. His manager, partner, and soul mate Pamela Vander has now shared the utterly devastating details behind Smith's death and revealed he had lung and kidney cancer. Smith remained positive throughout and was determined to fight his illness, alas his health ultimately deteriorated rapidly in January and he died at home with Vander at his side.
Read Vander's heartbreaking account and tribute to Smith via Instagram below.
Smith was cremated and laid to rest at the Blackley Crematorium on February 7th. Afterwards at Smith's wake a massive brawl reportedly broke out with bottles flying and mass panic in a mad escape to flee the pandemonium. Read the alleged account in the Manchester Evening News here. If the report is true, one has to think Smith would have loved this most proper sendoff.
Hello all. Wasn’t gonna break the silence as I’ve been madly focused on planning Mark’s funeral service which had to be fit for a king, because that’s how I saw him. Now I don’t really know what to do or say anymore as everything has stopped. But feel it’s only right to let you all know what was really going on with Mark E. Smith, and how much he fought to stay here.
I can confirm that Mark was battling lung and kidney cancer, which had already spread beyond any real help. I mean, it was all finally rolling again for Mark, and the cruelty and timing of what happened... well, I don’t understand it. He was happy and excited and we’d found a second home a couple of years back, moved in, set up shop. Total privacy. He loved it there, wrote a lot, walked in the garden, we watched films. He was full of fresh ideas for The Fall, and the lads had his back 100% on everything. And then one terrifying diagnosis turned everything upside down.
After that, Mark said yes to every treatment, every way to stay here, and I can honestly say that he was the toughest but most loving man I’ve ever known, a real warrior. And I am so proud of him for trying so hard, for trying harder and harder even through every set-back. Pure valiance. True to himself. His mind was getting stronger and stronger so even with diagnosis, we remained hopeful that maybe something would work. He was a positive force, and despite the pain, he was always focused on getting up, and getting out. Right til the end.
It all went downhill whilst in hospital a few weeks back. It was terrifying. I can’t put it any other way. I’m sorry. It was all so fast. Still a blur. Mark was at home with me when he passed, just the two of us alone which is what he wanted. He was at peace in the end. The nurses tell me to take comfort in that, we got home, his last wish. But it’s too shocking, the speed of it all. It feels... too cruel right now. But maybe it is my duty to Mark to pass on a message and let people know that he was fighting so fucking hard... and even though he’s not here, I know what he would say to all his friends, fans and admirers... ‘I love you all but cannot embrace you all’
So thank-you, near and far, for being fans of Mark E. Smith. For loving him and believing in him and his sounds and visions. We have lost a genius. Life, the written word and music will never, ever be the same. But we will feel Mark whenever it rains, and whenever the music plays.
From a personal point of view it’s hard to breathe. I’ve lost my soulmate, the love of my life. We were just happy to be with each other, even in silence. But now the silence is like hell. The pain is unbelievable. We had so many incredible days & nights, so many plans... but I’m not angry, I’m proud that Mark tried so hard for us. He really gave it his all. The bravest man I’ve ever and will ever know. And the funniest. I love you my man, my king, my Mark. I’ll love you forever.
Always yours, Pam
Published February 12th, 2018
