Bill Fay, the renowned British singer-songwriter who enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in his career later in life, has passed away at the age of 81. An official statement confirmed his death, describing Fay as “a gentle man and a gentleman, wise beyond our times.” The statement highlighted his private nature and the profound impact of his emotionally resonant songs, which are expected to continue reaching listeners for years to come. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, Fay had battled Parkinson’s Disease in his final years.
Born in North London in 1943, Fay pursued studies in electronics in Wales, where he began composing music on the piano and harmonium. His talent was recognized by former Van Morrison drummer Terry Noon, who assisted Fay in signing with Decca Records’ Deram label. This partnership led to the release of his debut album, 1970’s Bill Fay, followed by the more experimental Time of the Last Persecution in 1971. Unfortunately, declining sales of the latter resulted in Fay being dropped from the label. He famously remarked, "I didn’t leave the music business—the music business left me."
Fay’s music was deeply influenced by his Christian faith and resonated with the Jesus freak movement of the era. Over time, he confronted profound themes, including the tragedies of the 20th century such as the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Jim Crow laws, and the Vietnam War.
For nearly four decades, Fay distanced himself from the music scene, finding work in various sectors including groundskeeping and fishmongering, while raising a family. He felt as though he had been forgotten, stating in an interview, "As far as I was concerned, I was gone, deleted. No one was listening." However, a reissue of his earlier work in 1998 brought him back into the spotlight. Producer Jim O’Rourke discovered Fay’s music and later shared it with Jeff Tweedy, which resulted in a live cover of Fay’s "Be Not So Fearful" during Wilco’s performances.
Additionally, O’Rourke introduced Fay’s music to David Tibet of the experimental group Current 93, who was inspired to find Fay and help him release Tomorrow, Tomorrow, & Tomorrow, a compilation of studio recordings from 1978 to 1981. This renewed attention eventually led producer Joshua Henry to connect Fay with Dead Oceans, reigniting his career and introducing his music to a new generation of fans.
