The music community laments the passing of a great talent and kindhearted spirit. For everyone who had the honour of seeing Matthew’s artistry, his contributions to Catfish—on and off stage—left an everlasting impression. His legacy is in the songs he produced as well as in the hearts of people he touched.
Catfish has made a huge splash in the music industry with their distinctive style, which combines intense rock with raw blues, and is widely recognised as one of the best blues-rock bands in the UK. Comprising multi-award-winning guitarist and vocalist Matt Long, his father Paul Long on keyboards and vocals, Adam Pyke on bass, and globally known drummer Phil Wilson, the band rapidly became known as a must-see act on the circuit. Inspired by their popular lockdown livestreams, they have over the years produced three studio albums, a live LP, and an acoustic EP.
With an ever-growing audience, the group received praise all throughout the UK, Europe, and the USA, so establishing their significance as a main influence in the British blues scene. But the group now suffers a great loss with the sudden death of their beloved frontman, Matthew Long, at 29 from cancer.
The music community gave Matthew’s path much support. While Matthew’s resources to access further therapies outside the purview of normal care came from kind donations via GoFundMe, crowdsourcing and memorabilia auctions, several benefit events were planned by friends, fellow artists, and fans. For which his family will always be immensely grateful, this kindness gave him priceless time.
Matt’s intestinal cancer progressed to his liver and stomach lining after surgery and treatment. His cancer team suggests an alternative treatment, but they don’t think it would cure him so much as lengthen his life.
NHS options are nearly exhausted. The oncology team can utilise sequenced tumour samples to determine the best therapy to slow or kill it.
This treatment was only available privately, which is costly. Shipping a cancer sample to a US lab for sequencing costs under £3k, and drugs cost £3k a month after that. His cancer team predicted he won’t survive this year without treatment. If they have drugs, sequencing may give him a 15% chance of survival. Trying that seemed worthwhile.
The aggressiveness of the illness proved insurmount even with the great bravery and will displayed during his fight. Surrounded by his soul mate, Sam, and close relatives, Matthew died quietly.
Written in memory of a loved one lost years ago, “Archangel,” one of Matthew’s most moving pieces Its moving words now really speak to people, catching the love and grief experienced by those he leaves behind. A appropriate memorial to a wonderful young man gone way too soon.
