Keith Ellis (musician)

Keith Ian Ellis (19 March 1946 – 12 December 1978) was an English bass player. He was born in Matlock, Derbyshire.^[1] He is known for his associations with The Koobas, The Misunderstood and Juicy Lucy. He was also a member of Van der Graaf Generator from 1968 to 1969.^[2] Ellis worked with Mike Patto and Ollie Halsall's band Boxer from 1975 until late 1976 when the original line-up split.^[3]

Keith Ellis
Ellis as part of The Koobas in 1966
Background information
Birth name	Keith Ian Ellis
Born	(1946-03-19)19 March 1946 Matlock, England
Died	12 December 1978(1978-12-12) (aged 32) Darmstadt, Germany
Genres	Rock
Instrument	Bass guitar

Ellis died in Darmstadt, Germany in 1978, whilst on tour with Iron Butterfly. No cause of death was determined,^[3] although the music journalist Ralph Heibutzki reported in a 2011 edition of Ugly Things that he was the victim of an accidental drug overdose.^[4] He left behind a widow, Deborah.

The song "Not For Keith" on the album pH7 by Peter Hammill, (1979) was a tribute to Ellis.^[5]