Doug Shaw, the New York-based musician known for his work as Highlife and with Gang Gang Dance and White Magic, died this week at age 43 after suffering a stroke.
Shaw was born in London in 1982 and moved to New York in 2003. Over his career he performed with artists including Lou Reed, Mdou Moctar, Sonic Youth, and Bonnie Prince Billy. He played bass in Gang Gang Dance, served as a multi-instrumentalist in White Magic, and appeared on all records by the late Sierra Leone musician Janka Nabay. Shaw also released solo material under the name D.S. and collaborated with Geologist on the 2025 album A Shaw Deal.
