Keith Levene in 1981
Keith Levene in 1981 | Image: Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty

Keith Levene, Founding Guitarist of The Clash and Public Image Ltd, Dead at 65

By Alex Gallagher

Guitarist Keith Levene, who was a founding member of not one but two legendary bands – The Clash and Public Image Ltd – has died at the age of 65. He passed away on Friday (11th November) in Norfolk, England from complications related to liver cancer. The news was confirmed by author Adam Hammond, who had been working on a book about PiL with Levene.

“It is with great sadness I report that my close friend and legendary Public Image Limited guitarist Keith Levene passed away on Friday, 11th November,” Hammond tweeted. “There is no doubt that Keith was one of the most innovative, audacious and influential guitarists of all time.”

Watch Keith Levene Performing ‘Theme’ with PiL in the Late 1970s

Born Julian Keith Levene in London in 1957, Levene formed The Clash with guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Paul Simonon in 1976, with Joe Strummer joining on vocals shortly afterwards. Levene played early shows with the group and co-wrote a handful of songs on the band’s self-titled debut album, but was fired from the band in 1977, prior to its recording.

After the Sex Pistols disbanded in early 1978, Levene and John Lydon formed Public Image Ltd alongside bassist John Wardle (aka Jah Wobble) and drummer Jim Walker, whose time in the band was short-lived. Levene played on the band’s first three albums –1978’s Public Image: First Issue, 1979’s Metal Box and 1981’s The Flowers of Romance – before leaving in 1983 over creative differences.

Following his departure from Public Image Ltd, Levene collaborated with many other artists. He produced demos for the Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ third album, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, worked with Ice T and Tone Loc, and contributed to industrial rock outfit Pigface’s 2003 album Easy Listening… Levene also released multiple solo albums, beginning with 1989’s Violent Opposition.

Levene is survived by his partner, Kate Ransford, who was with him in his final hours along with his sister, Jill Bennett and her husband. Ransford shared in a tweet that Levene passed away at the couple’s home “peacefully, painfree, cosy [and] well loved.”

News of Levene’s death emerged prompted tributes from the music world. His former PiL bandmates Jah Wobble and Martin Atkins, Ride‘s Andy Bell, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Massive Attack, the Brian Jonestown Massacre‘s Anton Newcombe and Oasis‘ Paul Arthurs are among those who have shared their condolences.

Alex Gallagher
Alex Gallagher

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