Massive Attack announce death of “brilliant” guitarist Angelo Bruschini

Massive Attack guitarist Angelo Bruschini has died just months after revealing his lung cancer diagnosis, the band have announced.

The news was shared by the band on Twitter/X today (October 24), who described the guitarist as “a singularly brilliant & eccentric talent”.

“Impossible to quantify your contribution to the Massive Attack canon,” they wrote. “How lucky we were to share such a life together.”

RIP Angelo 🤍
A singularly brilliant & eccentric talent. Impossible to quantify your contribution to the Massive Attack canon.
How lucky we were to share such a life together. pic.twitter.com/btSqYQnOoM

— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) October 24, 2023

Bruschini’s wife, Jessica, also shared the news in a Facebook post today, announcing that he died in the early hours of yesterday morning (October 23). “I am very sad to announce that my beautiful husband, Angelo Bruschini, died on 23rd October 2023 at 12.15am,” the post read. “It was from a rare and aggressive cancer.”

Bruschini announced his lung cancer diagnosis back in July of this year, writing in a Facebook post: “Twice now I have been told ‘Good luck’ by specialist’s at the hospital over lung cancer, I think I’m fucked! Had a great life, seen the world many many times, met lots of wonderful people, but the door is closing, think I will write a book.”

The Bristol-born artist joined Massive Attack in the 1990s after the trip hop collective formed in 1988.

He also performed for other bands including The Blue Aeroplanes, who wrote on Facebook that they were “devastated” to announce Bruschini’s passing, adding: “Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Rest In Peace Ange x.”

A number of tributes have poured in for the artist on social media. You can view some below.

When we got the Glaxos back together mid 80s Angelo Bruschini rehearsed with us for a bit before decamping to Blue Aeroplanes and then Massive Attack. He impressed me hugely by being able to play the opening run of the Hollies We’re Through. Rest in Peace Angelo.

— Rob Chapman (@rcscribbler) October 24, 2023

Very sad to hear about the passing of Bristol guitarist Angelo Bruschini… A star of the band The Blue Aeroplanes, he was also a key enabler of the sound of ‘Mezzanine’ with his very unique use of the cords…
https://t.co/raVXjW9eZV

— Melissa Chemam (@melissachemam) October 23, 2023

RIP Angelo Bruschini. The eruption of guitars at 2.15 in this. My god. https://t.co/Si6jFwKgdc

— Justin Lewis (whenisbirths on rival platforms) (@WhenIsBirths) October 24, 2023

RIP Angelo Bruschini.

Forever grateful for your contribution to Mezzanine, the soundtrack to my final year at Uni. https://t.co/WYAHvQ1FAD

— Andy Goss (@andygoss) October 24, 2023

Fly well, fella.😥
Angelo Bruschini #MassiveAttack
📸C Flanigan pic.twitter.com/rXGotZFieh

— PunkAndNewWave (@NewWaveAndPunk) October 24, 2023

such a talented and great guitarist. rip Angelo 🙁 #angelobruschini #massiveattack #sadness pic.twitter.com/mzM9pIzJVH

— Tanja Matic Photography (@TMphotography8) October 24, 2023

Deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, friends, all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing. #AngeloBruschini https://t.co/zKo0bpOhIs

— KB Squared (@KBSquared4) October 24, 2023

Oh man. The jewel of The Blue Aeroplanes in the early 90s. The best guitarist. RIP Angelo Bruschini https://t.co/S3JMHcfhtT

— Craig Scrogie (@craigscrogie) October 24, 2023

Rest well Angelo Bruschini, an integral part of the sound of @Blue_Aeroplanes and @MassiveAttackUKhttps://t.co/INdmKQL9Yh

— Pete Johnson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚽🎸 (@PeteDJohnson) October 23, 2023

Bruschini also played with bands The Numbers and Rimshots, and produced Strangelove‘s eponymous album in 1997. He played guitar on Jane Taylor’s single ‘Blowing This Candle Out’, which came out in 2005.