Ed Graham left The Darkness because the band split up in 2006 following the departure of its frontman, Justin Hawkins. His exit was a direct consequence of the band's dissolution, rather than an independent decision to leave the group.
The Dissolution of The Darkness in 2006
The original iteration of The Darkness came to an end in 2006 when lead singer Justin Hawkins departed the band. This pivotal event led to the overall breakup of the group.
- Primary Cause: The departure of Justin Hawkins was the main reason for The Darkness's initial split.
- Consequence for Members: As the band dissolved, all members, including Ed Graham, effectively moved on from The Darkness.
Ed Graham's Subsequent Career and Later Departure from Stone Gods
Following the breakup of The Darkness, Ed Graham and guitarist Dan Hawkins went on to form a new band called Stone Gods. They expanded their lineup by bringing in Toby Macfarlaine and promoting Richie Edwards, who had previously served as a guitar technician for The Darkness, to the position of frontman.
- Formation of Stone Gods: After The Darkness's split, Ed Graham continued his musical journey as the drummer for this new project.
- Departure Due to Health Issues (2008): It was from Stone Gods, not The Darkness, that Ed Graham announced his permanent departure in July 2008. The reason for this later departure was specifically health issues. This clarifies that while health issues led to his exit from Stone Gods, they were not the reason he left The Darkness.
In essence, Ed Graham's departure from The Darkness was due to the band's breakup in 2006 after Justin Hawkins left. His subsequent departure from Stone Gods in 2008 was, however, attributed to health issues.
