15 years ago today Level 42’s guitarist Alan Murphy died
October 19th, 2004
15 years ago today, on the 19th of October 1989, guitarist Alan Murphy died of AIDS in Westminster City Hospital, London.
Alan Murphy is known for being one of the top 5 session guitarists in the UK in the 80’s. He was especially credited by his wonderful work with Kate Bush, having played guitar in four of her albums and joining the singer’s crew on the Tour Of Life in 1979. As a session musician he worked also for artists such as Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry.
In 1988 Alan Murphy joined Level 42 to record the album “Staring At The Sun” and to play in the subsequent tour. He also worked with Scritti Politti, Mike & Mechanics, Go West, Preston Heyman, and SFX.
Alan Murphy was one of the early victims of AIDS from the music business during the 80’s and he kept his illness in secrecy even from his friends and bandmates.