The English alt-rock band EMF have announced the death of their founding member and keyboardist, Derry Brownson, at the age of 55. The group shared the heartbreaking news in a social media statement released on Friday, August 14, noting that they had learned of the loss the previous evening.

“Late last night we started to hear the news that we have lost our Brother In Arms Derran Brownson,” the band wrote, accompanying their tribute with a poignant photograph of the musician performing live. “We are devastated, the only solace we can find is that we are eternally grateful Derry was able to join us on stage a couple times just a few short months back. Nothing will ever be the same again without our band mate and friend, fly high brother Derry.”

According to reports from BBC Gloucestershire, Brownson had been battling a brain tumour and had been undergoing treatment prior to his passing. Born in 1971, he was a cornerstone of the Gloucestershire-based group, helping define their sound as a keyboardist and sample player during their rise to international fame in the early 1990s.

EMF achieved massive success with their chart-topping debut single ‘Unbelievable’, while their 1991 album Schubert Dip reached Number Three on the UK charts, bolstered by hits like ‘I Believe’ and ‘Children’. Following a hiatus after the death of original bassist Zac Foley in 2002, the band reunited in 2022 for their first album in 27 years, Go Go Sapiens, and most recently released The Beauty And The Chaos in 2024.

The music community has responded with an outpouring of grief. Ash frontman Tim Wheeler shared his condolences, writing: “So sorry for your loss, rest in peace Derry, sending love.” Other tributes came from guitarist Will Crewdson, the band Dictator, and American producer Tommie Sunshine. On X, singer-songwriter Kirk Brandon added: “Deeply saddened by his departure. Love and respect to him and his family. The world is less for one man.”

Derry Brownson has departed this reality. Wolves supporter. EMF
Deeply saddened by his departure.
Love and respect to him and his family.
The world is less for one man. pic.twitter.com/UWSb2DmJcS

— KIRK BRANDON (@kirkbrandon) August 14, 2026

The loss comes at a time when the band had been actively working on new material, having recently revealed they were finalizing a 14-song album earlier this summer.