At a Glance
- Kenny Morris, original drummer for Siouxsie and the Banshees, has died at age 68
- Music journalist John Robb confirmed the death in a Jan. 15 tribute, calling Morris “sweet, articulate, artistic and fascinating company”
- Morris recorded on the band’s first two albums and their U.K. No. 7 hit “Hong Kong Garden” before leaving in 1979
- Why it matters: The news closes the chapter on a key architect of the post-punk sound that shaped British alternative music
Kenny Morris, the drummer who helped launch Siouxsie and the Banshees and played on their breakthrough early material, has died. He was 68.
Friend and music journalist John Robb announced the death in a Jan. 15 tribute published on Louder Than War. Robb did not specify the date or cause of death.
Early Life and Education
Morris grew up in Essex, England, to Irish parents. He attended St Ignatius’ College, North East London Polytechnic and Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, according to Robb’s account.
Joining Siouxsie and the Banshees
Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin formed the band in 1976. Morris saw the group perform that September-before he was a member-when Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious briefly sat behind the kit.
In 1977 Morris officially joined as drummer, solidifying the first stable lineup alongside Sioux, Severin and guitarist John McKay.
Key Recordings
With Morris on drums, the band released:
- The Scream (1978) – debut studio album
- Join Hands (1979) – second studio album
- “Hong Kong Garden” – stand-alone single that reached No. 7 on the U.K. singles chart
Sudden Exit in 1979
Morris and McKay quit the group in September 1979 while the band was touring in support of Join Hands. The departure left Sioux and Severin to rebuild the lineup mid-tour.
Life After the Banshees
Morris never stopped creating. After leaving the band he:
- Continued drumming
- Directed several short films
- Focused on painting and drawing
- Exhibited artwork in Dublin
- Returned to live drums with Dublin post-punk goth outfit Shrine Of The Vampyre
Planned Memoir
Louder Than War reports Morris completed a memoir titled A Banshee Left Waiting, scheduled for 2025 release. The title mirrors one of his art shows.
Tributes Pour In
Robb remembered Morris as “sweet, articulate, artistic and fascinating company,” adding that “his beautiful eccentricity was adorable.”
The journalist noted that in recent years Morris “had turned his life back around and was establishing himself as a respected artist.”
Impact on Post-Punk
Morris’s precise, tom-heavy style underpinned the band’s angular early sound, influencing countless post-punk and gothic drummers who followed. His work on tracks such as “Hong Kong Garden” helped push the band from punk roots into darker, more experimental territory.
Key Takeaways
- Kenny Morris, founding drummer for Siouxsie and the Banshees, has died at 68
- He played on the band’s first two albums and their breakthrough single “Hong Kong Garden”
- Morris left the group in 1979 and pursued visual arts, film and continued music
- A memoir, A Banshee Left Waiting, is set for release later this year
- Friends remember him for his creativity, kindness and enduring artistic spirit
