Paul Raven - Bass player with Killing Joke, Ministry, Prong Dies in Geneva Aged 46 (Jan 16th 1961)

Paul Raven Bass player with Killing Joke has died unexpectedly in Geneva in the early hours of Saturday October 20th 2007. Paul had been recording with Ted Parsons and Marco Neves in Geneva for the band Treponem pal. After a days recording Paul retired to bed and did not wake up.

Although Killing Joke was his life passion playing on hits such as Love Like Blood and Kings and Queens, Paul was also a prolific musician in other areas. At various times in his life he played and wrote with Ministry, Godflesh, Prong, Pigface, Murder Inc, Amen and many others. Killing Joke have been covered by everyone from Metallica, Foo Fighters, Fear factory, Helmet to Nouvelle Vague and LCD Soundsystem. Paul a native of Wolverhampton started his musical journey with local punk legends The Neon Hearts and then Kitsch which he formed with Tyla later of Dogs D'Amour.

Jaz Coleman - Geordie Walker, front man and Guitarist of Killing Joke said earlier today:

"We are all deeply stricken with grief at the unannounced departure of possibly the funniest man on planet Earth and a brother to us all. Paul Vincent Raven unimaginable sadness is felt by all"

Dan Raven Paul's Brother added:

"We are in deep shock and we miss him a great deal. We love him"

Reza Udhin, Keyboard player in Killing Joke and frontman of Inertia expressed:

"Paul will be greatly missed by music fans, friends and mostly his family; his bands will miss him terribly.. He was a great man and a unique bass player who has died at such a tragically early age. I miss him enormously"

A funeral will be held in the next couple of weeks. For further information on where to send floral tributes etc go to www.killingjoke.com and www.myspace.com/killingjokeofficial .

Posted by B. Van Isacker