Departures of note

David Fair was an American musician best known as the co-founder of Half Japanese, the influential art punk and lo-fi rock band he formed with his brother Jad in their childhood bedroom in the mid-1970s. The band, which began as a duo playing a small drum set, out-of-tune guitar, and shared vocals, became a cult favorite celebrated for its raw, idiosyncratic sound and its influence on the American underground and indie rock scenes.

Fair was a key but occasional member of the group, contributing guitar, harmonica, and vocals across many of its recordings. He temporarily left the band in 1987 to care for his family and thereafter participated sporadically, appearing on albums such as Charmed Life and the compilation Greatest Hits. Half Japanese released dozens of records over several decades and built an international following, touring widely in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Though less prominent than his brother Jad, David Fair was regarded as an essential creative force in the band's early identity and legacy. He died at the age of 74.