Mark Sandman, frontman of the band Morphine, died yesterday of a heart attack in Rome. This is such a tragedy. He had the most incredible voice -- smoky and smooth, and it had a rounded quality to it, like he was singing through a pipe...resonant and soothing. He had this wonderful face too, with two sleepy half-closed sad blue eyes. Morphine was in a class of its own. There was just Mark on a two-stringed bass, Dana on sax, and Billy on drums. They didn't sound like anyone else. They were beautiful. On June 5, they played a show at the NY jazz festival with Firewater. Firewater left the stage at 10:30, and we had to drive back to Philadelphia, so we left before Morphine took the stage. Talk about regret. This is such terrible news. I love Morphine. They are one of the few bands that everyone in my family agrees to listen to on car trips and things like that. I can't imagine anyone listening to them and not liking what they hear. Such smooth and soft music. This is so very sad.

how old was he?

He was 46 or 47, depending on the source. If anyone would like to hear what he/his band sound like, go here for songs from their "Like Swimming" album, which was the last one they released. I think they were working on a new album, but I could be wrong.

was the heart attack drug related? seems kind of young to have a heart attack, but maybe i am ignorant. i like(d) those guys, too, although i have none of their albums.

I don't think so. I also heard he had no history of heart problems. Apparently, he was performing in Rome, where it's been pretty hot, and just collapsed on stage. The doctors there tried to revive him and failed, and he was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital. What a horribly shocking way to die. What a horrible thing for the audience to go through. It's just really sad.

Died doing what he enjoyed. If you gotta go that would be the best way.