Richard Swift, Songwriter, Member of Black Keys, Shins & The Arcs, Dies at 41

Richard Swift, a multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who released a string of solo albums and played with The Shins, The Black Keys and The Arcs, has died at age 41.

The death was announced in an Instagram post Tuesday (July 3) from Swift’s former bandmate, Keys singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach. “Today the world lost one of the most talented musicians I know,” he wrote alongside a photo of the two. “He’s now with his Mom and Sister. I will miss you my friend.” 

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According to Pitchfork, Swift, who was born on March 16, 1977, died on Tuesday morning in Tacoma, Washington, with a Facebook post on his official page reading “And all the angels sing ‘Que Sera Sera.'”

 

Today the world lost one of the most talented musicians I know. He’s now with his Mom and Sister. I will miss you my friend.

A post shared by Easy Eye Sound (@easyeyesound) on Jul 3, 2018 at 6:38am PDT

Back on June 19, a post on the FB page asked friends of the musician who produced music for Damien Jurado, Foxygen, Nathaniel Rateliff, Cayucas, Guster and others to send their love and support to Swift, who was then reported to be “up against some tough odds. He has been hospitalized due to a serious medical condition. He is receiving excellent care in Tacoma Washington and everything is being done to allow his body time to repair and heal. He is uninsured and the cost of the care he is getting is a lot. If you can afford to share the weight of this burden, it would be most deeply appreciated.”

A GoFundMe page was set up to pay for Swift’s medical costs. The post did not specify the nature of Swift’s medical condition and at press time there was no known cause of death.

Swift released a series of lo-fi solo albums under his own name and as Instruments of Science & Technology beginning in 2005 and toured with The Shins from 2011-2016 and performed as the touring bassist for The Black Keys in 2014, as well as playing drums for the Keys side project The Arcs.

Among the others paying tribute to Swift were The Grahams, The Fray, Pedro The Lion’s David Bazan, Okkervil River and Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill.

 

I was introduced to Richard Swift years ago though my friend @davidagreco, and have had the pleasure of getting to know this fine human over the years. We (The Fray) convinced him to come out and open for us in 2009 and we had a blast watching him every night. He has written, produced or been involved in a lot of music that has inspired me, and now he needs help. He’s been hospitalized and has some crazy medical bills racking up. If you’d like to help there’s a link in my bio. Get well soon Swift! —— #richardswift

A post shared by Ben Wysocki (@tallmountain) on Jun 20, 2018 at 6:01am PDT

 

Our hearts are so heavy. Today the world lost one of the most magical and inspiring souls we’ve had the pleasure to know, create with, and call our friend. @swiftswift we will always remember your kindness, your encouragement, your talent and your heart. That beautiful heart. Goodbye friend. God speed. —

A post shared by The Grahams (@thegrahamsmusic) on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:23am PDT

Richard Swift was a beautiful, powerful wizard. It really hurts that he’s gone.

— David “Abolish ICE” Bazan (@davidbazan) July 3, 2018

Richard Swift was a singularly talented musician and producer; his illness and death reveal how fragile everything really is. Love and support to his friends & his family & all those he made beautiful music with. https://t.co/QF5Px5HVCR

— Okkervil River (@okkervilriver) July 3, 2018

Richard Swift was @JessieBaylin musical soul mate and could not have been a kinder soul. There will always be a special place in our hearts and memories for the one and only Walt Wolfman. RIP Swifty

— nathan followill (@doctorfollowill) July 3, 2018

Check out the video for Swift’s 2012 song “Beautifulheart.”