Black Keys Musician Richard Swift Dead At 41

Richard Swift of the Black Keys has sadly passed away.

On Tuesday, July 3, 2018, the multi-instrumentalist's official Facebook page announced that he had died. He was 41 years old.

"And all the angels sing 'Que Sera Sera,'" the post read, captioning a black-and-white snapshot of the musician. "Richard Ochoa Swift. March 16. 1977 – July 3, 2018." Swift's bandmate Dan Auerbach also confirmed the sad news on Instagram, writing, "Today the world lost of the most talented musicians I know. He's now with his Mom and Sister. I will miss you my friend."

At the time of this writing, further details surrounding his death have yet to be revealed. However, Swift was hospitalized in March 2018 to receive treatment for an undisclosed "life-threatening condition," his reps revealed to Pitchfork at the time. During the indie rocker's subsequent recovery, a GoFundMe page had been set up to help cover Swift's medical expenses.

After news of Swift's passing broke, a number of celebs, musicians, and fans took to social media to share their thoughts and express their condolences. "Richard Swift was the most talented person I've ever met," Dave Depper of Death Cab for Cutie wrote in part in a thread on Twitter. "Some impossible amalgamation of Harry Nilsson, Paul McCartney, and Levon Helm, beyond soulful on any instrument he picked up, and a writer of hilarious, heartbreaking, funky, psychedelic songs."

Meanwhile, musician Valerie June wrote, "What a brilliant musical and artistic mind we have lost! May your travels onward be gentle and light. There have been many highlights to recording both of my records, and one of the greatest was being in the room and working with you."

In addition to his bassist work while on tour with the Black Keys, Swift was a former member of the Shins and played drums in Auerbach's other band, the Arcs. Having founded the Oregon recording studio, National Freedom, he was also a singer-songwriter and producer in his own right. As a solo artist, the "Lady Luck" singer released a number of projects, including 2009's full-length record The Atlantic Ocean. As a self-taught producer, he worked with a number of acts throughout his career, like Sharon Van Etten, Damien Jurado, Foxygen, the Mynabirds, and Guster.

Our thoughts are with Swift's loved ones during this difficult time.