Latest
'much loved'
THE guitarist of the Irish band The Script has died in hospital after a short illness.
The band confirmed musician Mark Sheehan's death yesterday evening.
4
4
The Dublin based rock group said Mark passed away after a short illness.
They said: "Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness. The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time."
Devastated fans from across the globe have begun paying tributes to the talented musician.
Mark was co-founder of The Script back in 2001, but worked in music for years before with pal Danny O'Donoghue.
Mark and The Voice judge Danny were best friends since the age of 12, and were originally part of boy band Mytown, which formed back in 1996.
The pair later recruited drummer Glen Power, who had played since he was eight, for their new band The Script.
Mark was dad-of-three and spent most of his time in the US with his wife Reena, whom he married when he was 25.
The couple had their first child, son Cameron 18 years ago, and have two other young children, Avery, and Lil.
Most read in Showbiz
Danny told last year how Mark had taken time out to be with his family - and he and Glen took on the American leg of their tour.
Danny told the Sunday World: "It's his story to tell, but yeah, I guess if I could paraphrase, his children needed a father and his wife needed a husband.
TOUR TIME OFF
"He's been the engine of The Script for such a long time, [I told him] that 'if you want to take a bit of time out for your family you are more than welcome to, and I insist on you going and doing it'.
"He took a little bit of time off. You get refreshed, then you come back with a new zest for life. And I believe it was the best thing that could have happened for all of us.
"Me and Glen had to get on with it in the meantime. We did the American leg without him, but the second we all get back in the room again for the Irish tour you just sit there and you go 'there's the f***in' magic!'"
Mark revealed in 2017 how supporting U2 in Croke Park in 2009 was "a great bit of buzz".
The trio were stunned when U2 members The Edge and Adam Clayton revealed they had been listening to the band.
He said: "We always wondered would they know the band...we were in America, and a guy said to us, there was a press conference U2 had in Chicago and they were asked do you like any new bands.
BAND SUCCESS
"And Edge and Adam said there's a new band called The Script at home in Ireland, they're amazing, you got to check them out."
He added: "They literally talked about us and they don't realise the power of that because they don't mention a lot of bands and I think when they do, that caused such a ripple throughout the radio industry in America that everywhere we went we were being asked about it.
"So then one morning getting a call saying they wanted us to support them, that was it then and it was like oh my god, Croke Park, at home, U2, BellX1 were playing too and it was a great bit of buzz."
The Script have sold over 20 million albums, with huge hits in songs such as The Man Who Can’t be Moved, For The First Time, We Cry and Hall of Fame.
The band had been due to kick off a major European tour supporting Pink this June.
Announcing the slot in January, the band said: "We’re excited to announce that we’re heading out on tour with @pink for her Summer Carnival shows later this year! This is gonna be EPIC. We can’t wait to see some of #TheScriptFamily there! Tickets on sale now, so grab one quick."
HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTES
Tributes have poured in from across the music industry, with the Official Charts chiefs saying: "Our thoughts are with the family, friends and fans of The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan, who has sadly died aged 46."
Irish singer songwriter Hozier said: "So saddened to hear about this. Thinking of you all and of Mark’s family right now and sending love. Sincere condolences to you all."
UK singer Calum Scott said: "So sorry to hear this news. Sending love and thoughts to all those connected to Mark."
Irish entertainment duo Jedward also said: "Everyone in the Irish music industry and worldwide mourn your loss RIP Mark such a talented musician from The Script one of the most iconic Irish groups of our generation".
Lead singer of fellow Irish band The Coronas, Danny O'Reilly also paid tribute and said: "Shocked and saddened. Mark was always so lovely and encouraging to us. Our thoughts are with all the Script family. RIP".
While top Irish singer, Imelda May said Mark was a "talented" and "lovely" human.
She said: "I’m in shock. An old comrade and fellow proud Liberties child has gone. What a talented, funny, sound, calm, down to earth, really lovely human Mark was. Truly awful news. I send huge love to his family, friends and band family Glen and Danny."
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins also joined the musicians in remembering Mark.
In a statement he said: “All those who knew Mark Sheehan, and those millions more who enjoyed and appreciated his music, will have been deeply shocked to hear of his too-early death.
"It was a mark of the originality and excellence that Mark and his bandmates in The Script sought that they saw such success across the world, including six number one albums in the UK and a number three album in the United States – a truly remarkable achievement.
"It was a great honour and a privilege when I had the opportunity of hosting Mark and The Script when they performed at Áras an Uachtaráin in 2013 as part of my initiative Glaoch - The President’s Call, which celebrated Irish creativity and its reach and impact across the world."
The President continued: "Through their music, Mark and The Script have played an outstanding part in continuing and promoting this proud tradition of Irish musical success across the world.
Read More on The US Sun
"While Mark will be missed by so many, it is his family who will of course experience the greatest loss. May I extend my deepest sympathies to Mark’s wife Rina, to his children Cameron, Avery and Lil, to his bandmates in The Script, and to all his family and friends."
RTE Late Late show host, Ryan Tubridy also paid tribute to Mark on the show this evening and sent love to the star's family.
4
4