Manchester Orchestra Drummer Tim Very Dies at 42

The beloved musician was the band's longest-tenured drummer, playing on their last three studio albums.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Tim Very, the longtime drummer for the Atlanta rock band Manchester Orchestra, has passed away at the age of 42. The band shared that Very was "the most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life" and that they are in "absolute disbelief" over his death, the cause of which has not been revealed.

Why it matters

Very joined Manchester Orchestra in 2011 and was the band's longest-serving drummer, appearing on their last three studio albums as well as their most recent EP. He was also an accomplished session musician and producer, and co-founded a Georgia film production company. His death is a major loss for the band and the local music community.

The details

Very replaced previous Manchester Orchestra drummers Jeremiah Edmond, Benjamin Homola, and Len Clark when he joined the band in 2011. He went on to play on the band's albums Cope, A Black Mile to the Surface, and The Million Masks of God, as well as their 2023 EP The Valley of Vision. In addition to his work with Manchester Orchestra, Very was an in-demand session musician and producer, and co-founded the Georgia film production company Super Canoe.

  • Tim Very joined Manchester Orchestra in 2011.
  • Very played on the band's last three studio albums, released between 2014 and 2021.
  • The band's most recent release featuring Very was the 2023 EP The Valley of Vision.

The players

Tim Very

The longtime drummer for the Atlanta rock band Manchester Orchestra, who passed away at the age of 42.

Manchester Orchestra

An Atlanta-based rock band that Tim Very was the drummer for from 2011 until his death.

Andy Hull

A member of Manchester Orchestra who shared a tribute to Tim Very following his passing.

Chris Freeman

A member of Manchester Orchestra who shared a tribute to Tim Very following his passing.

Andy Price

A member of Manchester Orchestra who shared a tribute to Tim Very following his passing.

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What they’re saying

“Tim was instantly likable and interacted with everyone he met with kindness and warmth. His laugh was infectious and he immediately made people feel invited and encouraged. He had an undeniable light that was only matched by his dedication and love for the craft that he was clearly put on earth to do. No words can ever do him justice. Please know, if you are someone who loved Tim, he loved you too.”

— Andy Hull, Chris Freeman, and Andy Price, Members of Manchester Orchestra (pastemagazine.com)

What’s next

Manchester Orchestra is expected to share more details about Tim Very's passing and memorial plans in the coming days.

The takeaway

The death of Tim Very, Manchester Orchestra's longtime drummer, is a profound loss for the band and the local music community. Very was beloved for his kindness, warmth, and dedication to his craft, and his passing leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.