Tim Smith

* 2010s
* 2000s
* '90s
* '80s
* '70s

### Instruments

Vocals, guitar, organ, piano, synthesizer, mellotron, flute, recorder, percussion

### Website

cardiacs.net

**Tim Smith** (born July 3, 1961; died July 21, 2020), was a British musician, singer, songwriter, music video director and record producer. He is best known for being the frontman for the band Cardiacs.

## Early life

Smith always had an interest in music and played in an unnamed psychedelic instrumental band with school friends Mark Cawthra and David Philpot in 1975.

## Career

### Cardiacs

> *See main article: Cardiacs*
>
>

Smith is best known for his work as co-founder and lead vocalist/songwriter for the band Cardiacs. The band was originally called "Cardiac Arrest" and 1980 saw the release of the only Cardiac Arrest album, *The Obvious Identity*. Cardiac Arrest's lineup had Michael Pugh under the pseudonym of Peter Boker as vocals until he left (Smith took over the vocals for the remaining songs), Smith under the pseudonym of Philip Pilf on guitar and synth, Tim's brother Jim Smith under the pseudonym of Patty Pilf on bass, Colvin Mayers under the pseudonym of Duncan Doilet as vocals and synth and Mark Cawthra under the pseudonym of Little Bobby Shattocks on drums.

In 1981, Smith decided to rename the band Cardiacs and helped record their first album, *Toy World*, on cassette at Crow Studios. After another lineup change, he recruited Tim Quy (percussion), Sarah Cutts (saxophone) and Dominic Luckman (drums).

The Alphabet Business Concern label was created in 1984. Smith was asked by vocalist Fish to support his band Marillion on their forthcoming tour near the end of the year. Smith agreed but was not prepared for the hostile audience that awaited them on all legs of the tour (forcing them off the final three days of the tour). From then until 1999, Cardiacs released six studio albums, as well as a number of singles, EPs and live albums.

### Other projects

During the 1990s, Smith took a break from Cardiacs to work on various other projects. During 1989 and 1991, he wrote songs for a solo album, *Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld*, eventually released in 1995. Smith, his ex-wife Sarah Smith, and William D. Drake were reunited as The Sea Nymphs, a "gentler" version of Cardiacs; they had recorded before in 1984 and released a cassette album, *Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake*. Smith also performed with Jo Spratley in Spratleys Japs, who released their album *Pony* in 1999.

## Personal life

### Illness

On 25 June 2008, Smith suffered a heart attack, which caused brain damage through hypoxia and led him to develop the rare neurological condition dystonia.

In 2013, 2015 and 2017, events dubbed *The Alphabet Business Convention* were held in celebration of and with all proceeds funding Smith and his ongoing recovery. Among other things, they featured live music from bands within the Cardiacs' circle.

In July 2016, a special one-day concert took place in Preston, called *The Whole World Window* with all the funds going towards helping Smith get better. A cassette and CD album of the same name were also released via Hyena Inc containing performances by the same bands. In January 2018, an appeal was launched on the crowdfunding website JustGiving with the aim of raising £40,000 to fund Smith's ongoing care. The target amount was exceeded in the first day and a new target of £100,000 was set to provide for a year's care.

On 25 October 2018, Smith received the honorary degree of Doctor of Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His brother Jim accepted the honour on his behalf. A video of the excerpt was uploaded by Smith's girlfriend, Sarah Maher, on October 26, 2018.

### Death

Smith died on the evening of July 21, 2020 at the age of 59, following another heart attack. His death was announced by his brother and bandmate Jim Smith and bandmate Kavus Torabi. Musicians including Steven Wilson, Faith No More and Mr. Bungle's Mike Patton and Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree of Blur paid tribute to Smith.

## References

1. ↑ Larkin, Colin (1992). *The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music*. **1**. Guinness Publishing. p. 413. ISBN 9780851129396
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "History - CARDIACS". *Cardiacs*. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
3. ↑ Backley, Peter (1999). *The Rough Guide to Rock*. Rough Guides (3rd ed.). Rough Guides Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85828-457-6.
4. ↑ "Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWold". *Bandcamp*. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
5. ↑ "News archive - CARDIACS". *Cardiacs*. July 16, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
6. ↑ Nugent, Annabel (July 22, 2020). "Tim Smith death: Cardiacs frontman dies aged 59". *The Independent*. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
7. ↑ "The Whole World Window - A Benefit for Tim Smith". *The Continental*. Retieved December 8, 2017.
8. ↑ Marsden, Rhodri (January 8, 2018). "Tim Smith, the Cardiacs singer hoping to overcome brain injury to make music once more". *i News*. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
9. ↑ Wren, Mary (July 6, 2019). "We've raised £124,635 to fund Tim Smith's healthcare costs for one year". *JustGiving*. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
10. ↑ Kitching, Sean. "Remembering Tim Smith Of Cardiacs". *The Quietus*. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
11. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (July 22, 2020). "Tim Smith, frontman of cult band Cardiacs, dies aged 59". The Guardian. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
12. ↑ Wilson, Steven. (July 22, 2020) "Steven Wilson - Stoneage Dinosaurs (Cardiacs Cover)". *Facebook*. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
13. ↑ Patton, Mike. "Tim Smith tribute". *Facebook*. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
14. ↑ Coxon, Graham. (July 22, 2020) "What a joyful insane stupid racket...and a huge influence..."poor soldier..."- RIP TimX". *Twitter*. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
15. ↑ Rowntree, Dave. (July 22, 2020) "Really sorry to hear that Tim Smith, singer of @CardiacsBand died". *Twitter*. Retrieved July 24, 2020.