Heartbreaking Farewell: The Mountain Goats Bassist Peter Hughes Departs After Nearly 30 Years of Iconic Music
Peter Hughes Exits The Mountain Goats After Nearly Three Decades
Peter Hughes, the long-standing bassist and backup vocalist for the Mountain Goats, has announced his departure from the band. Hughes, who joined the Mountain Goats in 1995, has been a key figure in the group’s evolution, performing on every album except their 1994 debut, "Zopilote Machine."
In a heartfelt statement, the Mountain Goats remarked, "Sooner or later everybody spots the exit that has their name on it, and for Peter Hughes, my bandmate of either twenty-eight or twenty-two years depending on whether you mark the 1996 tour or the 2002 one as the start point, the time to leave the highway behind is now." They honored his contribution, saying, "He’s made the call, and all that’s left for us is to salute his legacy."
The band’s statement further emphasized Hughes’ irreplaceable impact: "Peter’s contribution to our band and to my life can’t be overstated. The time, toil, and sweat he has devoted to making our band better, year in and year out, will always be an indispensable part of what ‘the Mountain Goats’ meant from 2002-2024. Peter, the love Matt, Jon, Brandon and I have for you is forever, and my personal gratitude for your service not to my vision but what became our vision cannot be measured. I speak on behalf of audiences around the world when I say thank you, and that you will be dearly missed."
Despite his departure, the imminent Bochum Riders Tour will proceed as scheduled, albeit with a slight lineup change. Originally planned as a duo with John Darnielle and Hughes, the tour will now feature Darnielle alongside multi-instrumentalist Matt Douglas and drummer Jon Wurster.
Hughes’ final work with the band was last year’s "Jenny From Thebes." The band also recently announced a special reissue of their 2000 album, "The Coroner’s Gambit," which features Hughes.
The Mountain Goats closed their statement with a touching note: "We wish you joy, and that in all abundance, in all you do: long may you live and may each day bring greater pleasure than the last!"
Peter Hughes’ legacy with the Mountain Goats will undoubtedly endure, and fans worldwide will remember his significant contributions fondly.
Original Story https://pitchfork.com/news/the-mountain-goats-bassist-peter-hughes-leaves-band-after-nearly-30-years/
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