Pere Ubu leader David Thomas has died

SANDUSKY — Singer and rock musician David Thomas, who formed and led the Cleveland-based band Pere Ubu, has died in England. He was 71. "On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, he died in his hometown of Brighton and Hove with his wife and youngest stepdaughter by his side. MC5 were playing on the radio," Pere Ubu announced on its official Facebook page. "He will ultimately be returned to his home, the farm in Pennsylvania, where he insisted he was to be 'thrown in the barn,'" the statement read. In memory Thomas was born in Miami, Florida, and died in Britain, but he was based in Cleveland for many years, including 1975 when he formed Pere Ubu with other Cleveland-area musicians. Although Pere Ubu never sold huge numbers of records, it always got good reviews and enjoyed an intense cult following. It had a strong following in Europe, where the band often toured. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland has an exhibit that features Pere Ubu artifacts, and it wasn't just because the band was from Cleveland. Pere Ubu has been, perhaps, the most famous cult band in rock with a huge, detailed article on Wikipedia and endless press articles. Thomas had previously been a member of another Cleveland band, Rocket from the Tombs. When that band broke up, some members formed the Dead Boys, but Thomas and Peter Laughner formed Pere Ubu. Recordings have been released of Laughner performing The Cellar, located in the basement of the old winery building at 224 E. Water St. in downtown Sandusky. Other members of Pere Ubu also had ties to the Sandusky area. Pere Ubu's influential first album, "The Modern Dance," and early singles such as "30 Seconds Over Tokyo" features drummer Scott Krauss, a native of Clyde. Krauss was in the band for years, leaving in 1994. A lifelong member Milan resident Robert K.L. Wheeler was a member of the band from 1994 to 2020, playing the theremin. Although Wheeler did not join the band until later on, he had known Thomas for years. On Facebook, Wheeler wrote, "RIP Mr. Thomas." Here's an excerpt: It was a true delight to play in the greatest rock band in the world for 27 years. I learned so much and met so many amazing people who were drawn to the flame. My first memories of David were from about 1964 to 1965. I was in first grade. He was in sixth (in Cleveland Heights). I was in class with his younger brother, Alan. I first saw Pere Ubu in November 1976, and my life changed that night. I met my tribe. The performance Wheeler witnessed was at Pirates Cove, in the Flats near Cleveland's downtown. Pere Ubu sometimes rehearsed for tours at Wheeler's place in rural Milan, and Thomas came to Wheeler's house at least once to record Wheeler's contributions for an album, "Long Live Pere Ubu." Thomas, who had an unusually high-pitched voice, was the only member of Pere Ubu who lasted from the beginning to the end. He also recorded solo work and reformed Rocket from the Tombs in 2006.