In Memoriam: Algy Ward
Another punk and metal hero has left us as it’s been reported that Algy Ward has died. He was 63 years old. The bassist/vocalist’s former Tank bandmate Mick Tucker shared the news on Facebook.
“R.I.P Algy… Just heard the sad news my old band mate passed away in hospital last Wednesday May 17th,” he wrote. “We formed a formidable songwriting team when I joined tank in 1983 and recorded some great albums along the way and many shows with tank and the Nicky Moore band who I joined in 1990 with Algy. Over the last couple of years we had to carry on without him but hoped one day we could get him back onstage with us. A glass will be raised tonight in your honour.”
Born Alasdair Mackie Ward in London in 1959, Algy’s first big gig was with the Australian punk band The Saints, which he joined in 1977. He recorded with the band, but they disbanded briefly and reunited with a different lineup. It was at this time he joined the legendary English punk band The Damned. Ward laid down the bass for their comeback album, Machine Gun Etiquette, in 1979.
Ward’s time in The Damned was cut short due to personal conflicts in the band. After he was fired, he formed the band Tank. Influenced by Lemmy Kilmister and Motorhead, Ward fronted the band on bass and vocals with and aggressive sound that blended punk and metal.
Check out the video for “Turn Your Head Around” from the debut album, Filth Hounds of Hades.
Tank released five albums before splitting in 1989. They would reunite in 1997, but splinter into two bands during the 2000s.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Algy Ward.
