Ultravox star Chris Cross dies aged 71 as Midge Ure pays tribute
Ultravox bass guitarist Chris Cross, who co-wrote the new wave band’s classic hit Vienna, has died aged 71.
The musician, whose real name is Chris Allen, died on 25 March, and the news of his death was announced last night.
Midge Ure, Ultravox’s frontman, led tributes to his “instant” friend on Facebook, posting an old picture of the two skiing.
“We worked together, we played together, made music and directed videos together,” he said alongside the photograph.
He added: “We were instant friends as well as Ultravox comrade. Even after years apart we managed to pick up where we left off like the years in between never existed.
“You were the glue that held the band together. You were the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives. It was great to know and grow with you. You are loved and missed old friend.”
Keyboardist Billy Currie told his followers: “Hi People. So sorry to hear about Chris. Very shocked. We had some amazing times together. Laughing mostly.”
Ultravox formed in London in 1976 and was one of the most successful British bands of the 1980s, reaching number 2 in the UK charts with Vienna.
Mr Allen was born in Tottenham, London before he joined the Tiger Lily band in 1974 – which later evolved into Ultravox.
He then helped the band compose their breakthrough album, Ultravox!, before seeing it reach new highs when Mr Ure joined in 1979, which spawned their fourth album Vienna.
The album would become their most successful to date and established itself as a staple of new wave music in Britain.
The bass guitarist co-wrote a number of hit singles alongside Vienna, including Dancing with Tears in My Eyes and Reap the Wild Wind.
Together with his other band members, Mr Ure, Warren Cann and Billy Currie, Ultravox released 17 top 40 singles.
Having split up in 1996, the band went on to reunite in 2008 with a series of shows and also released an eleventh album in 2012.
Social media users across the country expressed their sadness, with one saying on X/Twitter that Mr Allen was an “influence” on “my life’s journey”.
