Photo: Press
Elbow have announced that drummer and founding member Richard Jupp has left the group after 25 years.
Jupp has been with the band since they formed in 1990 under the name 'Mr Soft', before they changed their name to Elbow in 1997. Since then, they've released six albums and won the Mercury Music Prize for 2008's The Seldom Seen Kid.
Now, the band reveal that Jupp has departed to focus on other pursuits - while the remaining members are concentrating on new material.
"Elbow have announced today that drummer Richard Jupp is to leave the band to concentrate on a number of creative projects including plans to further expand his drum school (www.juppdrumtuition.com) which will involve workshops across the UK," say the band.
"Richard will also continue to support the charities that he is involved with. Having been a member of elbow since the beginning 25 years ago, Guy, Pete, Mark and Craig wish Jupp every success in his new ventures. The band are currently writing tracks for their seventh studio album, due for release in 2017."
Speaking to Gigwise last month, Elbow frontman said: "We've been writing since the beginning of January. HQ is currently my house, which is lovely for me, but weird getting keys cut for the rest of the band.
"They nip to Marks & Spencers for lunch. Lots of salads these days, very boring. It used to be fried sandwiches, but those days are over. "
