Tributes are pouring in for rock star Joe Murphy, who rose to fame with the band Koopa, after his death at the age of 46.
Murphy played bass in the Essex pop-punk band Koopa with brothers Stuart and Oliver 'Ollie' Cooper, making history by becoming the first act to hit the UK top 40 singles chart with digital downloads.
Koopa's record-breaking single, Blag, Steal & Borrow, was released in 2007 and the band went on to bag two wins at the Glasswerk New Music Awards the same year.
Murphy's younger sister released a tribute on her social media, confirming the musician's death: 'For those who knew him, it breaks my heart to say that my big brother, Joe Murphy has passed away. Love you big bro.'
Tributes have also poured in from the rock community and fans, with many expressing their shock and sadness at the news.
Essex Rocks Creative CIC said: 'We've left it for a few days so everyone can digest the sad information that our friend Joe Murphy has passed on. Joe and his band Koopa were a massive part of our formative years as promoters in the mid 2000s and we feel privileged to have known him on a personal level and worked with him as a musician.'
One friend said: 'This is awful news to hear! Love to you all, at this sad time. A privilege to have known Joe & played music together.'
Murphy was said to have been in a serious crash in June 2021 after suffering a heart attack while driving, and spent weeks in a critical condition in intensive care.
Koopa was formed in the early 2000s when Ollie Cooper was a teenager at school, and the band toured around Essex and the UK between 2004 and 2007, releasing singles 'No Trend' and 'Stand Up 4 England.'
