Joe Murphy, the bassist for the pop-punk band Koopa, has died at the age of 46. His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his sister, Hollie, who announced the news on social media. Murphy's health had reportedly deteriorated following a serious car crash in 2021.
Murphy was a member of Koopa alongside brothers Stuart and Ollie Cooper. The Colchester-based band gained prominence in the mid-2000s, and their 2007 hit "Blag, Steal & Borrow" reached number 31 on the UK charts. Koopa made history as the first unsigned act to enter the UK Top 40 through digital downloads. The band toured the UK between 2004 and 2007 and performed at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2007. They also received two awards at the Glasswerk New Music Awards.
In 2021, Murphy was involved in a car accident where he suffered a cardiac arrest while driving. He was hospitalized and spent weeks in critical condition in intensive care. Following the incident, his family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.
Friends and fellow musicians paid tribute to Murphy. Essex Rocks Creative CIC acknowledged his significant role in their formative years as promoters, stating, "Joe and his band Koopa were a massive part of our formative years as promoters in the mid 2000s." Local band The Broken Johnny's remembered him as a "local legend."