Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Punk rock icon Keith Levene, an original member of The Clash and Public Image Limited, dies aged 65

British guitarist Keith Levene, a founding member of The Clash and Public Image Limited, is being remembered as a reinventor of punk rock after a friend announced his death on social media. 

Author Adam Hammond said Levene died on Friday, with the Guardian reporting the pair were working on a book together. 

"Our thoughts and love go out to his partner Kate, sister Jill and all of Keith's family and friends," he said on Twitter. 

"The world is a darker place without his genius.

"Mine will be darker without my mate."

Levene was one of the founding members of The Clash with Mick Jones, but was only briefly in the band. 

He went on to form Public Image Limited with John Lyndon, formerly known as Johnny Rotten, as well as Jah Wobble and Jim Walker.

The BBC wrote he was credited with "helping to pioneer an angular post-punk sound that is still regularly cited". 

Hammond said the 65-year-old made Public Image Limited "the most important band of the age". 

"There is no doubt that Keith was one of the most innovative, audacious and influential guitarists of all time," he said.

News of Levene's death prompted a string of tributes from fellow musicians:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.