Remembering Kenny Morris: Siouxsie and the Banshees Drummer Passes Away at 68

Kenny Morris in March 1979.
Credit:

Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Kenny Morris, a drummer with Siouxsie and the Banshees, has passed away.
• His death was confirmed by friend and music journalist John Robb.
• Robb described him as “sweet, articulate, artistic and fascinating company.”

Kenny Morris, famed drummer for the influential punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees, has died at the age of 68. The news was confirmed by friend and music journalist John Robb.

Morris was instrumental in shaping the sound of the British band, which included vocalist Siouxsie Sioux, bassist Steven Severin, and guitarist John McKay. In a poignant tribute published on January 15, Robb fondly reflected on their friendship, remarking, “Kenny was a friend of ours, and it was always a pleasure to see and hang out with him when visiting Cork in Ireland, where he had been living. He was sweet, articulate, artistic and fascinating company and his beautiful eccentricity was adorable.”

The specific date and cause of Morris’s death remain unconfirmed.

Born in Essex, England, to Irish parents, Morris attended St Ignatius’ College, North East London Polytechnic, and Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts. He joined Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1977, just a year after the band was founded. His interest in the group was sparked after witnessing a performance with Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols on drums in September 1976.

During his time with the band, Morris contributed to two albums: 1978’s The Scream and 1979’s Join Hands. He also played on their debut single “Hong Kong Garden,” which reached No. 7 on the U.K. singles chart.

Steve Severin, Siouxsie Sioux, John McKay, and Kenny Morris of Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty

Morris left the band in September 1979 during their tour for Join Hands, alongside fellow founding member John McKay.

After departing from Siouxsie and the Banshees, Morris continued his musical journey by drumming for other projects, directed several short films, and explored painting and drawing.

In the years leading up to his death, he was reported to be working on a memoir titled A Banshee Left Waiting, which is anticipated for release in 2025. This title also reflected one of his recent art exhibitions.

Robb’s tribute highlighted Morris’s recent renaissance as an artist, stating, “In recent years, he had turned his life back around and was establishing himself as a respected artist, and his paintings had been exhibited in Dublin at a major art show. He also had started drumming again for Dublin post-punk goth band Shrine Of The Vampyre.”