Sad news to report from the world of punk, as Hüsker Dü drummer and songwriter Grant Hart has passed away at age 56. It’s been widely reported that Hart had been battling cancer before his death.

Hüsker Dü only existed for less than a decade, but in hardcore punk and alternative rock circles, the band is unquestionably one of the most influential acts ever. The group released six studio albums in just a four-year period, signing to Warner Bros. after unveiling the highly acclaimed Flip Your Wig in 1985. 30 years after Hüsker Dü’s breakup, they remain a highly respected a timeless band in the eyes of countless fans.

Hüsker Dü guitarist / vocalist Bob Mould confirmed Hart’s death on Facebook with a heartfelt tribute to his fallen bandmate:

It was the Fall of 1978. I was attending Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. One block from my dormitory was a tiny store called Cheapo Records. There was a PA system set up near the front door blaring punk rock. I went inside and ended up hanging out with the only person in the shop. His name was Grant Hart.
The next nine years of my life was spent side-by-side with Grant. We made amazing music together. We (almost) always agreed on how to present our collective work to the world. When we fought about the details, it was because we both cared. The band was our life. It was an amazing decade.
We stopped working together in January 1988. We went on to solo careers, fronting our own bands, finding different ways to tell our individual stories. We stayed in contact over the next 29 years — sometimes peaceful, sometimes difficult, sometimes through go-betweens. For better or worse, that’s how it was, and occasionally that’s what it is when two people care deeply about everything they built together.
The tragic news of Grant’s passing was not unexpected to me. My deepest condolences and thoughts to Grant’s family, friends, and fans around the world.
Grant Hart was a gifted visual artist, a wonderful story teller, and a frighteningly talented musician. Everyone touched by his spirit will always remember.
Godspeed, Grant. I miss you. Be with the angels.

The official Hüsker Dü Facebook page paid tribute to Hart’s passing as well, simply sharing a black-and-white photo of the drummer:

We’d like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Grant Hart.

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