Andrew Weatherall, British music producer and DJ behind Screamadelica, dies aged 56

The musician and producer, who brought acid house to the mainstream, has died.

Andrew Weatherall, the British music producer, DJ and musician, has died aged 56.

Weatherall worked with iconic acts such as New Order and Happy Mondays. His remix production on Primal Scream's Screamadelica helped turn it into one of the most celebrated albums of the 1990s, earning the band the first Mercury Prize in 1992.

His management said in a statement: “We are deeply sorry to announce that Andrew Weatherall, the noted DJ and musician passed away in the early hours of this morning, Monday 17th February 2020, at Whipps Cross Hospital, London. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. He was being treated in hospital but unfortunately the blood clot reached his heart. His death was swift and peaceful.”

Born in Windsor, Weatherall's career started in the late 1980s as a DJ after years singing with post-punk bands at his local arts centre.

He was taken on by Danny Rampling to play at London nightclub Shoom, and soon after founded record label Boy’s Own Recordings and the production outfit Bocca Juniors.

Weatherall also remixed for artists including My Bloody Valentine, Bjork and Saint Etienne, re-working New Order's 1990s World Cup song World In Motion with Terry Farley.

Paying tribute to the musician, Ed Simons from th Chemical Brothers - an act Weatherall championed in their early days - said on Twitter he was "a true inspiration and hero. A lovely and funny man. Incredible DJ."

Singer-songwriter Beth Orton, who worked with Weatherall on her breakthrough album Trailer Park in 1996, described him as a "beautiful soul and a genius", while the Charlatans' Tim Burgess said he was "shocked and saddened to hear that cosmic traveller Andrew Weatherall has left the building."

Article image: Tom Oldham/Shutterstock

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