Benjamin Curtis of School of Seven Bells' Dies, Guitarist Mourned
Benjamin Curtis of the band School of Seven Bells died on Sunday, Dec. 29
The musician was also a member of the band Secret Machines, and had been battling lymphatic cancer over the past year.
On Monday, Dec. 30th, other members of the School of Seven Bells announced Curtis' death via Facebook.
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"Last night, Dec. 29th 2013, we lost our friend and brother Benjamin Curtis to his fight against cancer," the post read.
"While we hoped to delay the announcement until a more suitable time when his friends and family could feel better prepared and settled to greet any correspondences from folks attempting to reach out, unfortunately the news has prematurely leaked," the Facebook statement continued.
"We can't thank all of you who supported him and his music through the years enough," the School of Seven Bells noted. "All of you who attended or participated in the various benefits in and around New York City over the past year since his diagnosis, and of course those who contributed and gave generously to help support him throughout that journey. You made it possible for all of us, and for him, to see how truly loved he was and how many lives he had touched through his music by your gestures."
The statement concluded: "We will all miss this incredibly talented and rare person every day, but we are fortunate enough that he shared with us his music, and that is something that we can keep forever."
Lymphatic cancer, also known as lymphoma, is the term given to the group of cancers in the lymphatic system where some white immune cells become abnormal and malignant.
Ahead of his cancer diagnosis, Curtis formed the New York-based indie rock duo, School of Seven Bells, with vocalist Alejandra Deheza in 2007. They released three full-length albums, including 2012's "Ghostory" which peaked on No. 8 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Before School of Seven Bells, Curtis was a member of the Dallas-based group Secret Machines who are best known for their songs "Now Here Is Nowhere" and "Ten Silver Drops."
On Twitter, Curtis' fans are mourning his death on Thursday, including Interpol who wrote, "You'll be tremendously missed Benjamin Curtis. You were truly one of a kind. The warmest of souls. My love goes out to the Curtis family. –DK"
