Legendary Sparks bassist Ian Hampton, who played with the pop duo formed by brothers Rob and Russell Mael in the 1970s, died last week. He was 79 years old.
Hampton’s daughter-in-law, Judi Hampton, shared a Facebook publication that the musician died on Wednesday, June 3 after spending months in the hospital. No cause of death has been revealed.
Judi wrote that Hampton “had been ill for some time and had been in the hospital since February.” She said he spent the last weeks of his life in a nursing home and then “sadly, on Wednesday, he passed away.”
“As a family, we are understandably heartbroken and are taking time to be together and support each other,” he continued, asking for privacy for the family. “Thank you for your kindness, understanding and support.”
Brothers Ron and Russell Mael, better known as Sparks, paid tribute to their former bassist. shared a instagram photo of themselves with Hampton during the period of the 1970s they worked together.
“We are saddened to learn that Ian Hampton has passed away,” they wrote. “Ian was a great bassist who toured and recorded with Sparks in Propaganda (1974) and Indiscreet (1975). Ian’s enthusiastic spirit will be missed as he remained close to the world of Sparks over the years. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
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