Richard Purden LIKE many during lockdown Norman Blake ventured into his attic. He discovered artefacts include a poster for Teenage Fanclub’s first show in New York at the legendary but now defunct CBGBs. “It was an important date because that was the first time we played in America,” reflects Blake on the show in the summer of 1990 attended by Sonic Youth and Don Fleming who would co-produce the Fanclub’s American breakthrough album Bandwagonesque which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Endless Arcade, released this month, is their 11th long-player and the first in almost five years. “There’s a lot to get through” suggests Blake after coming down from the loft. The 55-year-old has spent the last year based in his teenage bedroom after living in Canada for a decade. “With the pandemic, it’s meant that I’m stranded so I’m back in Bellshill. I was here working on mixes for the album and been at my folks since. My daughter is also in Glasgow do
His wife Jasmine confirmed that he passed away on October 31, 2020. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
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“To Dumile. The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for,” Jasmine said in in an Instagram post. “Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be.”