Ultravox musician Chris Cross has died at the age of 71.
The bass guitarist passed away on March 25, the band’s frontman Midge Ure confirmed on April 1 in a post on social media.
“We worked together, we played together, made music and directed videos together,” he shared on Facebook. “We were instant friends as well as Ultravox comrades. Even after years apart we managed to pick up where we left off like the years in between never existed.
“You were the glue that held the band together. You were the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives. It was great to know and grow with you.
“You are loved and missed old friend.”
Born Christopher Thomas Allen in Tottenham, London, Cross joined forces with vocalist John Foxx, guitarist Stevie Shears and drummer Warren Cann to form the band Tiger Lily in 1974, which later evolved into Ultravox.
With their unique blend of synthesisers, guitars and electronic rhythms, the group quickly garnered attention within the burgeoning new wave movement and after a run of unsuccessful releases, achieved their breakthrough with the arrival of Ure and their fourth album, ‘Vienna’ (1980).
Throughout the 1980s, Ultravox continued to push the boundaries of electronic music with albums like ‘Rage In Eden’ (1981) and ‘Quartet’ (1982), while Cross also found success outside of the band with various musical projects.
In 2009, Ultravox reunited for a successful reunion tour and released their final album ‘Brilliant’ – the first featuring the line-up of Ure, Cross, Billy Currie and Warren Cann since 1984’s ‘Lament’ – in 2012.
Together with Ure, Cross also directed music videos such as Bananarama’s Shy Boy and The Telephone Always Rings by Fun Boy Three.
