Kenny Morris, Foundational Siouxsie and the Banshees Drummer, Dies at 68
Kenny Morris, the original drummer who helped define the rhythmic landscape of Siouxsie and the Banshees, has passed away at the age of 68. The news was confirmed on Thursday by music journalist and close friend John Robb through a tribute published in Louder Than War. While the specific cause and date of death have not been made public, the loss marks the end of a significant chapter in post-punk history.
“Kenny was a dear friend, and it was always a highlight to spend time with him during my visits to Cork, Ireland, where he had made his home,” Robb shared in his remembrance. He described Morris as a “sweet, articulate, and fascinating” individual whose unique eccentricity was as much a part of his charm as his musical talent.
Robb’s tribute painted a picture of a man who remained deeply connected to his artistic roots. Morris was known for his striking personal style, often appearing in meticulously curated outfits that echoed the provocative spirit of the 1976 punk era—a movement he helped shape from the inside.
Born in Essex in 1957 to Irish parents, Morris was a multidisciplinary artist long before he sat behind a drum kit for the Banshees. He studied fine art and filmmaking at North East London Polytechnic and Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts. Before his time with Siouxsie, he briefly played with Sid Vicious in the short-lived project The Flowers of Romance.
Morris joined Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1977, a year after the band’s inception. His arrival brought a disciplined yet primal energy to their sound. He contributed to the band’s seminal first two albums, The Scream (1978) and Join Hands (1979), and played on their breakthrough hit, “Hong Kong Garden,” which climbed to No. 7 on the UK charts.
Reflecting on his entry into the band during a 2023 interview with Tripe + Drisheen, Morris recalled the grit of the early London scene. Despite an immediate personality clash with the band’s manager, the musical chemistry was undeniable—by the end of his first audition, the group had already hammered out eight songs.
Morris’s tenure with the band came to a sudden conclusion during a 1979 tour. Following a heated dispute at a record signing, he and guitarist John McKay abruptly departed the group. This departure paved the way for Peter “Budgie” Clarke to take over on drums, while The Cure’s Robert Smith temporarily filled the guitar vacancy.
After leaving the Banshees, Morris shifted his focus toward painting, drawing, and independent filmmaking, though he never fully abandoned the drums. In recent years, he performed with the post-punk ensemble Shrine of the Vampyre. Fans can expect a final look into his life soon; he reportedly completed a memoir that is scheduled for release later this year.
