Moore Murphy Gray, vocalist of Banda Trapera del Rio

The Spanish music scene is mourning the loss of Miguel Angel Sanchez Tenedor, known professionally as Murphy Gray, who died on January 4 at the age of 64. The singer of the famous band Banda Trapera del Rio died due to complications from a liver transplant, his family confirmed in an official statement, asking for respect and privacy at this painful time.

Murphy Gray, born in Melilla in 1959, was a prominent figure in the Spanish punk scene and an authority in the musical counterculture. Together with Modesto Agriarte 'Tío Modes' and Juan 'Raf' Pulido, he founded La Banda Trapera del Riu in 1976 in Cornilla de Llobregat, establishing himself as one of Spain's leading punk bands.

The band debuted in 1979 with the album “Banda Trapera del Río”, followed by notable works such as “Guant de guilotina” (1993), “Mentemblanco” (1995) and, after a long recording hiatus, “Cremant the Future” (2019). ). His influence on the punk scene has transcended decades and generations.

Passionate about punk since his youth, Murphy-Grey has cited Lou Reed as a major influence in his foray into the genre. In addition to his distinguished career with Banda Trapera del Río, he participated in several parallel musical projects, such as Morfi Grei & Electroputas and Subtrabellos.

The multi-faceted artist not only made his mark in music, but also entered literature with the launch in 2012 of “Letras Pétreas”, a self-edited edition that included previously unpublished texts accompanied by illustrations by famous artists.

In 2015, Murphy-Grey discovered the world of theater with the play “Memóries d'un yonkie”, written and performed by himself and directed by Encarna Pastor. The work, based on his personal and musical experiences, featured guitarist Beto Parrado and the band The Gorrions.

In addition to his contribution to the artistic field, Murphy Gray worked tirelessly for more than a decade at a detoxification center, where he helped hundreds of people overcome addiction. His legacy goes beyond music, leaving a lasting mark on the history of Spanish punk and on the lives of those who knew him.

2021 marked the 40th anniversary of La Banda Trapera del Río, and despite some of Murphy's health issues, the band continued their memorial tour, reflecting the dedication and passion that Murphy-Grey had for music until his final days.

Monster, which acquired the band's recording rights in 2006, expressed its sadness at the loss of Murphy Grey. Inigo Munster, the label's director, highlighted his role as one of the most concise and precise voices of the working-class youth movement of the era.

The Cornelia City Council, where Murphy issued a proclamation for Corpus Christi celebrations in 2010, also expressed its sadness and sent its condolences to the artist's family and loved ones.

Murphy Gray leaves behind an indelible legacy in the history of Spanish punk music, and will be remembered not only for his musical contribution, but also for his dedication to helping others and his influence on multiple artistic aspects.