The Black Keys & The Shins musician Richard Swift dies, aged 41

Richard Swift – singer-songwriter and member of The Black Keys and The Shins – has died aged 41 in Tacoma, Washington.

Last month, Pitchfork revealed that the multi-instrumentalist had been hospitalised with a “life-threatening condition.”

A GoFundMe campaign had been launched to cover his medical bills, saying he was “up against some tough odds” and asking for donations to to cover the costs of his treatment, as he was uninsured.

They had reached US$89,490 of the $200,000 goal in 14 days. 

Swift’s bandmate Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys and The Arcs wrote in an Instagram post: “Today the world lost one of the most talented musicians I know. He’s now with his Mom and Sister.

“I will miss you my friend.”

Swift was a member of The Shins from 2011 – 2016, the touring bassist for The Black Keys in 2014 and also played drums for The Arcs.

A self-taught musician and producer, he worked with Foxygen, Guster, the Mynabirds, Sharon Van Etten, Damien Jurado, Pure Bathing Culture and many others, as well as releasing his own music as a solo artist.

Swift founded and owned National Freedom, a recording studio in Cottage Grove, Oregon.

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