Rough Trade star and David Bowie support act, Kevan Staples, has died at the age of 74 co-creator Carole Pope revealed in a touching online message
A former support act for David Bowie has died. Rough Trade star Kevan Staples has passed away aged 74, his friend and Rough Trade co-creator has confirmed.
Carole Pope took to Instagram to share the sad news. Alongside a black-and-white image of the star, she wrote: “Yesterday my beautiful friend and #roughtrade co-creator @kevanstaples passed away. He was a bright light that will burn forever.”
No further details surrounding his death have been relesaed, but the messages of condolence quickly filled the comments section as devastated fans sharing their thoughts. “A brilliant musician and wonderful human being, I’m so sorry, Carole,” wrote one.
Another said: “Iconic you both are and always will be.
“The Elmo was a great venue for you both . So talented. A sad loss,” while a third wrote: “Heartbreaking – so sorry for your loss. And condolences to his loved ones. Your partnership was a force of nature,” followed by a love heart emoji.
Staples was the co-founder of the legendary rock back and co-wrote the band’s risque breakout hit High School Confidential. Other tunes included the likes of Birds of a Feather and All Touch.
In the 80s, after bursting onto the scene, the band won four Juno Awards. They were later inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023.
“Their music challenged conventions and left a lasting impact on Canada’s cultural landscape,” a post on the Canada Walk of Fame’s Instagram page said.
Speaking in 2000, Pope recounted the progression of the duo’s relationship and formation of Rough Trade in 1974. The band replaced it’s previous name of the Bullwhip Brothers.
In 1983, they toured with the legendary David Bowie, opening up for him on a number of his Canadian dates on his Serious Moonlight tour.
However, just a few years later the band came to an end. In 1986 they told reporters they did not want to simply tread water financially after attempts to crack the American market faltered.
“Besides writing about sexuality, we were also writing about politics and people didn’t pick up as much on that here,” Pope told the Canadian Press in 1994.
In 2001, they did reunite for a short period and over the years they sporadically regrouped for shows.
As well as his musical background, Staples decided to venture into the world of movies and television shows.
He once told CBC of his best work, claiming: “I think we did our part in shaking up the Canadian industry.”
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