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Tributes paid to Goblin’s Massimo Morante

The co-founder and guitarist of the cult Italian prog-rock band has died aged 70.

News of Massimo Morante’s passing was confirmed on the official Goblin Facebook page yesterday (23 June). “Goblin announce with a heavy heart and in total disbelief the passing of founder and guitar master Massimo Morante,” the post read.

The musician’s daughter Valerie also paid respects to her late father in a Facebook post and shared details of his funeral this coming weekend. “For anyone who would like to give him a last goodbye,” she wrote, “the funeral will take place on Saturday 25th June at 10.30 at the Church of Artists in Piazza del Popolo (Rome).”

Morante formed Goblin with Claudio Simonetti in 1972, originally naming the project Oliver and then Cherry Five before settling on Goblin. The band are renowed for creating horror soundtracks for Italian director Dario Argento’s films including Suspiria and Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) as well George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Following on from the latter film, Morante left the group to pursue his solo career and went on to rejoin the band at various points and continued to perform with Goblin. He last joined the group for 2018’s Fearless (37513 Zombie Ave.)

Read a selection of tributes paid to the late musician below.

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