In Memoriam - Page 5

Former Molly Hatchet bassist Banner Thomas has passed away from a heart attack. The news was shared by the band on their Facebook page. “Molly Hatchet bassist, Banner Thomas passed away this morning,” they wrote. “From 1978 – 1983, Banner played on the first four MH albums, including the hit Flirtin’ With Disaster. He left the band and was replaced...

Lyle Ritz, who worked as a session bassist during L.A.’s golden era of recording, passed away on March 3rd. He was 77 years old. Ritz began his musical career working at the Southern California Music Company, where he worked in the small goods department. It was here that he picked up the ukulele, which he also became famous for. He...

More tough news for the bass community today: Doug Lunn has passed away after a long bout with pancreatic cancer. Lunn was a fretless aficionado, having ordered his first fretless Precision from Fender in 1974. He studied music in college and became a hired gun in the ’80s, working with many progressive artists as well as international pop stars. He...

Trish Doan, who was a longtime bass player for the metal band Kittie, has passed away of undisclosed causes. She was 31 years old. Kittie announced the news on their Facebook page. “It is with immeasurable sadness that we share news of the passing of our sister and best friend Trish Doan,” the post stated. “Finding the right words is...

More sad news to report today: Elliott “Dean” Rubinson, bassist and CEO of Dean Guitars, has passed away after a battle with brain cancer. “On behalf of everyone at Armadillo Enterprises, words cannot express how much we appreciate the kind words and condolences shared by many, regarding the loss of our dear friend and former CEO, Elliott Rubinson,” Dean Guitars...

Steve Lang, who played bass for the Canadian classic rock outfit April Wine, has died at the age of 67. No cause of death has been announced, though he had suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. The news of Lang’s passing was shared by April Wine bandleader Myles Goodwyn. “My dear friend Steve Lang passed away this weekend,” Goodwyn wrote on Facebook....

Sad news to report today: prog rock legend John Wetton has died after a battle with colon cancer. He was 67 years old. Wetton was born in Willington, Derbyshire but grew up in Bournemouth, where he started his career on bass and vocals with bands like the Palmer-James Group, The Corvettes, Tetrad, Ginger Man, and Mogul Thrash. His big break...

Pete Overend Watts, who founded and played bass for Mott the Hoople, has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 69 years old. Born in Yardley, Birmingham, Watts started on guitar while at Ross Grammar School. He switched to bass when he was 18 and eventually started playing professionally with guitarist Mick Ralphs in The Buddies. The band...

Bassist and luthier Jim Mouradian has passed away after a massive heart attack following a performance with Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters in Connecticut. Mouradian grew up in a family of musicians, picking up the bass in junior high school. His family owned a rug business, which he worked at around college. He created a rug with his favorite band...

Doug Evans, who laid down the low end for punk trio the Didjits, passed away December 28th. He was 53 years old. Evans founded the seminal punk band with brothers Rick and Brad Sims in 1983. They spent much of their career on Touch and Go Records, releasing five studio albums before they split in 1994. Their music proved influential,...

2016 was a hard year for losses in entertainment, and it was no different for the bass community. Too many legends and lesser-known heroes of the bass passed away this year, but their memories will live on through the music they made and the lives they touched. Join us as we remember the lives and legacies of the bass players...

More sad news to report today: bass and prog-rock legend Greg Lake has died after a long bout with cancer. The King Crimson and ELP founder was 69 years old. Lake was born in the town of Poole in England in 1947 and picked up the guitar at 12. During their school years, he became friends with Robert Fripp, who...