Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Richard Swift has passed away at the age of 41. Swift made a name for himself first by making his own solo music (graced by features from Ryan Adams, Sean Lennon, Mark Ronson and more), and then by playing with and producing for other iconic alternative bands.
In the early 2000’s, he played for Starflyer 59; more recently, he’s played with bands like The Shins and The Arcs. Most notably, he joined The Black Keys as their touring bassist in 2014.
As a producer, he founded the National Freedom recording studio in southern rural Oregon, where he worked with artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff And The Night Sweats, Foxygen, Damien Jurado, and the Mynabirds. Smith was hospitalized earlier this month with an undisclosed life-threatening condition.
He passed away in a Tacoma, Washington hospital this morning.
Fellow Black Keys bandmates Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney joined many other musicians in remembering Swift on social media.
“He was the funniest person we ever met, one of the most talented musicians we have ever worked with and we feel so honored to have known him. RIP Richard.” – Dan & Pat
Photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen pic.twitter.com/RAusOLUPDD
— The Black Keys (@theblackkeys) July 3, 2018
A sad day in the world of music: the sudden passing of Richard Swift. Great producer, instrumental to so many strong artists, but also a wonderful songwriter himself. Hear his double opus “The Novelist / Walking without effort”. He will be missed and heard for times to come. ❤️
— Sondre Lerche (@SondreLerche) July 3, 2018
Photo Credit: Getty Images
