Death

Death is an American punk rock and proto-punk band from Detroit, Michigan. The group was formed in 1971 by brothers Bobby Hackney (bass, vocals), David Hackney (guitar), and Dannis Hackney (drums). They began as a funk group before shifting to hard rock after seeing concerts by The Who and Alice Cooper. David Hackney drove the band toward a raw, aggressive sound that anticipated punk years before the genre gained traction. The band ended in 1977 but was rediscovered decades later, leading to reissues, new recordings, and a reunion.

History

Formation (1964-1975)

The Hackney brothers first picked up instruments after watching The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. They practiced in their family’s Detroit home, initially performing funk under the name Rock Fire Funk Express. In 1973, following their father’s death, David pushed to rename the group Death. His concept was to reclaim the word and spin its meaning into something positive. While controversial, it gave the group a unique identity compared to other Black bands of the era.

Recording and breakup (1975-1977)

In 1975, Death recorded seven tracks at United Sound Studios in Detroit with engineer Jim Vitti. Columbia Records president Clive Davis offered support but asked them to change their name. The brothers refused, and the label withdrew. They released a single, Politicians in My Eyes b/w Keep On Knocking, in a run of only 500 copies on their Tryangle label. Without industry backing, the band dissolved in 1977. The brothers later recorded gospel rock as The 4th Movement, while David Hackney returned to Detroit, where he died of lung cancer in 2000.

Rediscovery and reunion (2009-present)

Collectors had long circulated the rare Death single, which became highly sought after. In 2008, MP3s of the songs surfaced online, and Bobby Hackney’s son Julian recognized his father’s voice. Drag City Records soon contacted the Hackneys, and in 2009 released the previously unheard 1975 sessions as …For the Whole World to See. That same year, Bobby and Dannis reunited with guitarist Bobbie Duncan to perform as Death. Later, Bobby’s sons also formed the band Rough Francis to carry on the songs of their uncles.

Death has since issued archival material and new albums, including Spiritual • Mental • Physical (2011), III (2014), and N.E.W. (2015). In 2023, Julian and Urian Hackney joined the lineup on guitar, keeping the family legacy alive.

Artistry

David Hackney’s vision and mysticism shaped Death’s style, combining high-energy rock with a spiritual undertone. Their aggressive guitar tone, fast tempos, and lyrical urgency anticipated the sound of punk rock years before it was recognized as a movement.

Members

• Bobby Hackney Sr. – vocals, bass (1971-1977, 2009-present)
• Dannis Hackney – drums (1971-1977, 2009-present)
• Julian Hackney – guitar (2023-present)
• Urian Hackney – guitar (2023-present)

Past members

• David Hackney – guitar (1971-1977; died 2000)
• Bobbie Duncan – guitar (2009-2023)

Discography

As RockFire Funk Express

• People Save the World / RockFire Funk Express (single, recorded 1973, released 2013 by Third Man Records)

As The 4th Movement

• The 4th Movement (1980, Tryangle Records)
• Totally (1982, Tryangle Records)

As Death

• Politicians in My Eyes b/w Keep On Knocking (single, recorded 1975, released 1976 by Tryangle Records; reissued 2013)
• Where Do We Go From Here (single, recorded 1976, released 1980 by Tryangle Records)
• …For the Whole World to See (recorded 1975, released 2009 by Drag City)
• Spiritual • Mental • Physical (recorded 1974-76, released 2011 by Drag City)
• Relief (single, released 2012 by CD Baby)
• Raw demo recording of Politicians in My Eyes (recorded 1974, released 2013 by Drafthouse Films)
• III (recorded 1975-1992, released 2014 by Drag City)
• N.E.W. (2015, TryAngle Records)
• Cease Fire (single, 2017, TryAngle Records)
• Give It Back (single, 2018, TryAngle Records)
• Death / Rough Francis (split release, 2023, Drag City)