Black Keys bassist Richard Swift died from an unclosed medical condition on Tuesday. His death was confirmed by his band mate Dan Auerbach with an Instagram post. Richard was diagnosed with the medical condition last month.
As a tribute, Dan Auerbach posted a photo with Richard on Instagram saying: “I will miss you, my friend.”
Other musicians also paid their tribute to the late musician on social media. Kings of Leon's Nathan Followill described Richard as his "musical soul mate."
Richard Swift was @JessieBaylin musical soul mate and could not have been a kinder soul. There will always be a special place in our hearts and memories for the one and only Walt Wolfman. RIP Swifty
— nathan followill (@doctorfollowill) July 3, 2018
Dave Depper from Death Cab for Cutie also tweeted, describing Swift as "the most talented person.”
Richard Swift was the most talented person I’ve ever met, some impossible amalgamation of Harry Nilsson, Paul McCartney, and Levon Helm, beyond soulful on any instrument he picked up, and a writer of hilarious, heartbreaking, funky, psychedelic songs.
— Dave Depper (@davedepper) July 3, 2018
Richard was born in California and was a self-taught musician. He had a prolific and varied career as a musician and producer.
He is best known for his role as drummer for the indie-rock band The Shins between 2011 and 2016. He also toured as a bassist with the Black Keys since 2014.
As a music producer, Richard produced music for Guster, Ray LaMontagne, Tennis and Sharon Van Etten, among other artists.
He founded National Freedom, a recording studio in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
A collection of his solo work, The Richard Swift Collection Vol 1, was released in 2005, under Secretly Canadian records. His last full solo album, the Atlantic Ocean, was released in 2009.