EMF have announced the death of founding member and keyboardist Derry Brownson, aged 55.
The English alt-rock band announced the news of Brownson’s passing in a new social media post. Shared this morning (Friday August 14), they wrote in the caption that they found out about the loss yesterday night.
“Late last night we started to hear the news that we have lost our Brother In Arms Derran Brownson,” they wrote alongside a photo of the musician performing on stage.
“We are devastated, the only solace we can find is that we are eternally grateful Derry was able to join us on stage a couple times just a few short months back. Nothing will ever be the same again without our band mate and friend, fly high brother Derry.”
BBC Gloucestershire reports that Brownson had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and had been undergoing treatment.
Born in 1971, Derran “Derry” Brownson was a founding member of the Gloucestershire group and remained as their keyboardist and sample player after they came to prominence at the start of the ‘90s.
The group had the chart-topping debut single ‘Unbelieveable’, and their 1991 debut album ‘Schubert Dip’ went to peak at Number Three on the UK Charts with singles ‘I Believe’ and ‘Children’.
They went on a hiatus in 2002 following the passing of original bassist Zac Foley, and reunited to release their first new album in 27 years, ‘Go Go Sapiens’ in 2022. They dropped their most recent album ‘The Beauty And The Chaos’ in 2024.
“So sorry for your loss, rest in peace Derry, sending love,” wrote Ash’s Tim Wheeler, while guitarist and writer Will Crewdson commented: “Lots of love and strength to you guys. Very sorry to hear.”
“We’re very sorry to hear team EMF, thoughts are with you all and loved ones,” wrote band Dictator, while Therapy added “So very sorry to hear this folks” and American record producer and remixer Tommie Sunshine shared: “Such sad news”.
On X, singer-songwriter Kirk Brandon shared: “Deeply saddened by his departure. Love and respect to him and his family. The world is less for one man.” Find more tributes below.
Derry Brownson has departed this reality. Wolves supporter. EMF
Deeply saddened by his departure.
Love and respect to him and his family.
The world is less for one man. pic.twitter.com/UWSb2DmJcS— KIRK BRANDON (@kirkbrandon) August 14, 2026
So sad about Derry
#EMF
pic.twitter.com/O8e0HFj3MV
— Helen Pugh (@Brockyhockey) August 14, 2026
RIP Derry #EMFpic.twitter.com/remkK0h6Ot
— Boffy (@BoffyWTFC) August 14, 2026
Such sad news, Derry from EMF has died
— SprostonCharlatan (@mrs_harket) August 14, 2026
The news of Brownson’s passing comes as the band revealed recently that they were wrapping up work on a new 14-song album earlier this summer.
The post EMF announce death of keyboardist Derry Brownson: “Fly high brother Derry” appeared first on NME.
