In Memoriam: Craig MacGregor

Sad news to report today: longtime Foghat bassist Craig MacGregor has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 68 years old. Foghat announced the news on their Facebook page.

“On behalf of Craig MacGregor’s family and the Foghat family, it is with great sadness that we are letting you know that we have lost our brother, good friend, husband, father and band mate this morning,” the band wrote. “He passed peacefully in his wife, Lisa MacGregor’s arms after a prolonged battle with cancer. Please respect the privacy of the family and band members at this time. We will be sharing information in the next day or so. Rest in Peace Thunderfingers.”

Born in Iowa in 1949, MacGregor took up piano at just seven years old and tried out the trumpet and drums before ultimately switching to bass. After moving to Connecticut he started gigging out more and went on tour with a band called Swan. It was in 1976 that he got the call to join Foghat and fill the bass role left by original bassist Tony Stevens and held temporarily by producer Nick Jameson. He was first featured on Night Shift and played on five albums before quitting the band in 1982. He would rejoin for stints in 1984 and 1986.

Other projects included Randy & the Radiants, Kneetremblers, Nosmo King, Buck Darhma, and more. In 2005 he took up the bass post in Foghat once again and stayed with the group until his passing.

Our friends are with the family and friends of Craig MacGregor.