The Hoodoo Gurus recently announced on their Facebook page that Mark Kingsmill, their drummer for the last thirty years, is retiring from the band. The reason for his departure was Kingsmill had lost enthusiasm for continued touring. This Media Release is by way of making that informal announcement somewhat official.
Mark Kingsmill joined the Hoodoo Gurus in 1984, replacing original drummer James Baker shortly before the band embarked on its first U.S. tour. Mark’s first album with the band was 1985’s Mars Needs Guitars, which contained two of the band’s biggest hits, ‘Bittersweet’ and ‘Like, Wow – Wipeout!’.
The latter song opens with an iconic drum figure that showcased Kingsmill’s dramatic impact on the band’s sound. There were many more tours to the U.S., Europe, Brazil and other parts of the world as more hits and albums followed each other. Mark’s final album with the band was Purity Of Essence in 2010, though his last recording was the recently-released Gravy Train E.P. which also featured James Baker along with all the band’s current and former members: Dave Faulkner, Brad Shepherd, Rick Grossman, Clyde Bramley, Rod Radalj and Kimble Rendall.
Mark Kingsmill has been an indelible part of the Hoodoo Gurus for several decades and though his fellow bandmates regret it, they completely sympathise with his decision. The remaining members contemplated breaking up the band rather than seek to replace their friend and colleague of so many years.
Happily, they have decided to continue and are currently auditioning several talented candidates for the soon-to-be vacant drum position. Whoever they choose, the band knows it will need to be a person of exceptional talent to go close to matching the contribution made by Mark Kingsmill during his celebrated tenure with the Hoodoo Gurus, a career that has taken the band all over the world and firmly cemented their place in Australian music history.
The Hoodoo Gurus were inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2007.
Here is a link to the Hoodoo Gurus recent Facebook announcement regarding Mark Kingsmill’s retirement. Numerous fans have posted their tributes to the drummer’s contribution to the band in their comments below the post:
