Manchester Orchestra drummer death: Tim Very dies at 42
The Atlanta-based rock band announced the sudden death of longtime drummer Tim Very on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 (ET). Very was 42. The group described him as a beloved bandmate, a joyful father and a musician whose warmth and energy helped define the band’s live and recorded work.
Band statement and immediate reaction
In a brief statement the band said, “The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very. The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief. ” The message praised Very’s kindness, humor and the role he played in holding the band’s community together.
Bandmates noted that Very’s laugh and generosity turned strangers into friends and friends into family. They added: “The only thing that Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad. We love you Tim, thank you for loving us. You are a force of positivity that will be a constant presence in the rest of our days. ”
At the time of publication, the cause of death had not been made public.
Career with Manchester Orchestra and musical contributions
Very joined the band in 2011, stepping into the lineup during the era of the album Simple Math. He became the group’s steady drummer over the next decade and a half, appearing on later releases including Cope (and its acoustic companion Hope), A Black Mile to the Surface, The Million Masks of God and the EP The Valley of Vision. He also performed on numerous tours and special live projects that helped expand the band’s audience both domestically and overseas.
Reflecting on his approach to playing, Very once described himself as a “songwriter’s drummer, ” aiming to add texture and feeling rather than simply providing beats. That sensibility showed up across the band’s dynamic catalog, from quieter, atmospheric moments to more explosive rock passages.
Very’s first live outing with the band on the U. K. leg of their tour was in Camden in 2011, a debut he later recalled with the mix of nerves and excitement that accompanies joining a tight-knit group midstream. Outside the band, he pursued creative projects including a YouTube channel where he shared music-related content and glimpses of his life.
Legacy and what’s next for the band
Colleagues, collaborators and fans are processing the loss as the band prepares to regroup. The announcement emphasized that Very’s influence extended beyond musicianship: he shaped the social fabric of the group and left a lasting mark on those who knew him personally and professionally.
The band has not yet announced memorial plans or any changes to upcoming performances. Fans and fellow artists are expected to share tributes in the days ahead as more information becomes available.
This is a developing story and details may be updated as new information emerges. The band’s statement and Very’s body of work underscore a career defined by devotion to craft and a generosity of spirit that colleagues say will endure.
