Singer Mark Linkous dies at 47

Sparklehorse singer Mark Linkous died on March 6th, his family has confirmed on his website.

A simple statement on Sparklehorse.com read:

From the Linkous Family: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today. We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you.” – March 6, 2010

Linkous, who recently collaborated on the Danger Mouse and David Lynch project “Dark Night of the Soul,” spoke in interviews about a struggle with depression in the past:

…Linkous talked about struggling with depression for years before recording his 2006 album. “It just got really bad for three years. It was this vortex I couldn’t climb out of,” he explained. “I think probably a little confidence is what helped, and that confidence was music. Just getting a song down, one at a time, that I felt was decent.”

Linkous shot himself in an alley outside a friend’s home in Knoxville, his manager confirmed to press. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He is survived by his wife Teresa, his parents and three brothers.