Drummer for Indie Band Manchester Orchestra, Timothy Very, Dead at 42: ‘An Undeniable Light’

Tim Very, drummer for indie band Manchester Orchestra, has died at age 42.

The news was announced by his bandmates via Manchester Orchestra’s Instagram account on Sunday, February 15. “The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very,” the post read. “The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief.”

No cause of death was disclosed.

The post continued, “Tim was instantly likable and interacted with everyone he met with kindness and warmth. His laugh was infectious and he immediately made people feel invited and encouraged. His humor and energy were the very foundation that held together the entire MO universe. Strangers quickly became friends and friends became family.”

A photo of Very, taken from behind during a performance by the Atlanta, Georgia-based rockers, was included in the post. In the snap, Very held his arms in the air victoriously as a thick crowd of fans watched on from below the stage.

“He had an undeniable light that was only matched by his dedication and love for the craft that he was clearly put on earth to do,” the post continued. “No words can ever do him justice. Please know, if you are someone who loved Tim, he loved you too.”

The post also noted that Very was a father. “The only thing that Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad,” it read. “We love you Tim, thank you for loving us. You are a force of positivity that will be a constant presence in the rest of our days.”

Fellow musicians shared their condolences within the post’s comments section including Riley Breckenridge from the Californian rock band Thrice. “Heartbreaking. He was such a ray of light, such a force of joy and positivity, and so unbelievably talented. He was truly one of one. Love you guys. I’m so sorry,” he wrote.

New York City-based session drummer, Tucker Rule, also commented, “I’m so sorry to hear this 💔.”

While Very was not Manchester Orchestra’s founding drummer, he was its longest-serving drummer after joining the band in 2011 and playing with them for 15 years, per reporting by Rolling Stone on Sunday.

The outlet also noted that Very’s artistry was heard on the band’s last three studio albums: Copy, from 2014, A Black Mile to the Surface, from 2017, and The Million Masks of God, from 2021.

During a February 2022 appearance on the “Drummers on Drumming” podcast, hosted by Ben Hilzinger, Very explained that he had hoped his music resonated with fans in more ways than one. “I’d like to think that after doing this for 20 years or so, whatever it’s been at this point, that I’m bringing something to the table that isn’t just drums and grooves and all that, but it’s understanding what a song should have, or could have in it, to hopefully enhance it or hopefully add something — a flavor, a feel to it,” he said on the show at the time.