The Cure Drummer Andy Anderson Dead at 68

Andy Anderson—former drummer for the Cure—has died, his former bandmate Lol Tolhurst announced. He was 68 years old. Anderson passed away following a battle with terminal cancer, a prognosis that he publicly revealed in a Facebook post earlier this month. “No boo-hooing here, just be positive,” he wrote. “For me, it’s just another life experience and hurdle, that one has to make, yet another choice in life. Be cool, I most definitely am and positive about the situation.” Anderson reportedly died at home surrounded by friends.

“Andy Anderson was a true gentleman and a great musician with a wicked sense of humor which he kept until the end, a testament to his beautiful spirit on the last journey,” wrote Tolhurst on Twitter. “We are blessed to have known him.” In another statement to Pitchfork, Tolhurst said the following:

Andy was a great drummer and a lovely human being. I feel grateful that I got to talk with him for his last few days here. He always had a great story to tell you! He kept his chin up until the end, which will not surprise those that knew him. He had a wonderfully positive approach to most things. You couldn't keep Andy down for long. He was kind to fans and always communicated with them long after he had left The Cure. Andy was a humble man in a world that doesn't always value humility. It was however, his strength, which is why he will be sadly missed by many including myself.

Born Clifford Leon Anderson in London, Anderson first joined the Cure when Tolhurst made the transition from drummer to keyboardist following the recording of Pornography. His first official appearance on a Cure record was on “Love Cats” from the singles compilation Japanese Whispers. The first studio album to feature Anderson’s drumming was The Top in 1984. That same year, his performance with the Cure at the Hammersmith Odeon was documented on the band’s first live album, Concert. In addition to the Cure, Anderson worked with Iggy Pop, Peter Gabriel, Isaac Hayes, and many others.