Born on May 15: Andrew Eldritch, the man in black of Sisters of Mercy

He was born in 1952 in Ely near Cambridge (England) and his passport reveals his real name as Andrew William Harvey Taylor. Nonetheless, the character remains mysterious...

Eldritch has always cultivated an interest in literature and language learning. At the University of Oxford, he initially delved into the study of French and German literature before experiencing the subtle complexity of Mandarin Chinese at Leeds. In addition to English, he's fluent in French and German. He also has some knowledge of Italian, Dutch, Russian, Serbian, and even Latin. For a gothic rock icon like him (even though he abhors the label), it's almost essential!

As the sole constant member, Andrew Eldritch has firmly steered the course of Sisters Of Mercy since their debut single "Damage Done" (1980), on which he even played the drums. However, it's his sepulchral baritone voice and Gary Marx's guitar that immediately set them apart. Not to mention the drum machine, nicknamed "Doktor Avalanche," whose relentless pounding plays a crucial role in constructing this gothic sonic cathedral revered by fans for 45 years.

For Eldritch, writing has always been a slow process. It took nearly five years before the release of the first titled "First And Last And Always" (1985), which didn't include any of the iconic anthems they had distilled since their formation. "Damage Done" (1980),"Alice" (1982), and the essential "Temple Of Love" (1983) remain, along with a few others, timeless singles. What's for more, the Sisters, firmly led by Eldritch, have built their aura on just three studio albums. The last one, "Vision Thing," was recorded in 1990, over 35 years ago!

Each of the group's tours continues to sell out even if Eldritch's voice has somewhat roughened over time...

Some upcoming concerts:

18 May: Olympia - Paris (France)

20 May: Aéronef - Lille (France)

25/26 May: Roundhouse - London (England)

(MH with Stéphane Soupart - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Andrew Eldritch with Sisters Of Mercy at the Mallemunt festival in Brussels (Belgium) on 5 August 1983