Tributes Pour in for Manchester Orchestra Drummer Timothy Very who Has Passed Away
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Timothy Very, the longtime drummer of Manchester Orchestra, has passed away. His bandmates—Andy Hull, Robert McDowell, and Andy Prince—announced the news on Saturday, February 14.
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As of now, the cause of Very’s death has not been disclosed.
Very joined Manchester Orchestra during the recording of their third full-length album, Simple Math, released in 2011. The album debuted in the top 10 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts, marking the beginning of his touring with the band.
In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, Manchester Orchestra expressed their sorrow: “The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very. The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief.”
They further reflected on his warm personality: “Tim was instantly likable and interacted with everyone he met with kindness and warmth. His laugh was infectious and he immediately made people feel invited and encouraged. His humor and energy were the very foundation that held together the entire MO universe. Strangers quickly became friends and friends became family.”
The band poignantly added, “He had an undeniable light… No words can ever do him justice. Please know, if you are someone who loved Tim, he loved you too.” They emphasized his love for his family, stating, “The only thing that Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad.”
Very was officially brought into the band—originally formed by frontman Andy Hull in 2004—after the departure of former drummer Jeremiah Edmond in 2010. His first live performance with the group took place in Camden, London, in 2011 as part of the UK tour supporting Simple Math.
Reflecting on that experience, he shared in an interview, “I threw up during it. It’s been awesome… this is what I’ve always wanted to do.” Very remained with the band until his passing, contributing to albums such as Cope and its acoustic companion Hope (2014), A Black Mile to the Surface (2017), The Million Masks of God (2021), and the EP The Valley of Vision (2023).
In a 2022 podcast interview, he described himself as a “songwriter’s drummer,” aiming to enhance songs with a unique flavor and feel that would leave a lasting impact.
Very developed his passion for drumming as a teenager, inspired by his father, a drummer himself. He recalled the moment he began, stating, “My dad heard me banging on them… That really kind of started the whole path.”
Influenced by Dave Grohl, Very began learning Nirvana songs, appreciating Grohl’s ability to write drum parts that serve the song while also allowing for creativity. “I hope to do is service a song, kind of enhance it,” he remarked.
In a recent podcast clip shared on Manchester Orchestra’s Patreon, he encouraged others to believe in their dreams, stating, “You can make it happen. It just won’t happen the way you thought it would.”
