Matthew Seligman, Bassist for The Soft Boys and Thompson Twins, Dies from Covid-19

New Wave bassist Matthew Seligman has passed away due to coronavirus, according to The Soft Boys frontman Robyn Hitchcock; he was 64 years old.

In a Facebook post, Hitchcock wrote: "I'm writing this as Matthew Seligman slips out of this life and into wherever souls go next." He also added that none of them expected Seligman's departure.

Hitchcock then shared their history, from meeting him in 1976 in Cambridge before The Soft Boys were formed up until Seligman started playing for other acts after the band's dissolution in the 80s. He added that other music acts like David Bowie, Morrissey, The Thompson Twins, and Chrissie Hynde "were all lucky beneficiaries of his intuitive and circular grooves."

He also noted Matthew Seligman's specialty in delivering one-liners such as "Pop music is about over-stating the obvious" and "What you've proved to the music industry is that you can't sell records."

Thomas Dolby, a longtime friend, and collaborator to Matthew Seligman, first wrote on Facebook the news he had from Kevin Armstrong, a British guitarist, and songwriter. His post said that Seligman suffered from a "catastrophic hemorrhagic stroke" and the "he won't recover." The post also shared the grim news that the prominent bassist will not survive long and that his ventilator is to be gradually withdrawn. Seligman died later that day.

Dolby's post also explained that Matthew Seligman "has been on a ventilator in an induced coma for two weeks after being admitted to St George's London with COVID-19." After this post, the British musician posted pictures of Seligman in performance, with one post describing the bassist as "Swaying at the back of the stage, a big smile on his face, grooving in his own space but always completely plugged into the rest of the band."

Tom Bailey, bass and vocals for the Thompson Twins, also expressed grief about Seligman's passing. Seligman played bass on the Thompson Twins' second album, the 1982 "Set," and the following tours.

On Twitter, The Waterboys founder Mike Scott remembers Matthew Seligman as an "Old friend, true gentleman, ace bassist" and a fan of the Fulham football club.

Matthew Seligman was born in Cyprus in 1955. His family moved to Wimbledon, England, shortly after his birth. He became a founding member of "Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club," together with Thomas Dolby. They played on the band's 1979 debut album "English Garden."

Seligman later joined The Soft Boys in 1979 and worked on the band's sophomore album "Underwater Moonlight," before the band broke up the following year, to which Seligman found himself playing for The Thompson Twins.

He would reunite with his old friend and play bass for Dolby's solo albums "The Golden Age of Wireless" and "The Flat Earth," as well as Dolby's hit single "She Blinded Me With Science."

Matthew Seligman also performed as a session bassist for a lot of other bands in the 80s, including The Waterboys, Morrissey, Nan Vernon, Sinéad O'Connor, and Tori Amos. He also backed up David Bowie during the 1985 Live Aid concert. Seligman later played bass for Bowie's "Labyrinth" and "Absolute Beginners."

Aside from his career in music, Seligman also served as a human rights solicitor in London, where he stayed with his children Deji and Lily.