In Memoriam: John Regan

Bassist John Regan, who performed with artists including Peter Frampton and Ace Frehley, has passed away at the age of 71. The news was shared in part by Frampton on Facebook, who remembered Regan as a dear friend.

“There might only be a handful, if that, of people who come into your world and truly enrich your life,” he wrote. “I have lost one of my closest buddies. He certainly enriched my life because of the person and the great player he was. John Regan was the best of us. He went out of his way to help people when things weren’t right. It didn’t matter who you were, prince or pauper. I know there are many of you out there who knew him. He was a friend to all. Always musically inspiring and one of the funniest people on the planet.”

Regan’s first major recording was with “Wild Thing” songsmith Chip Taylor on his solo album, Gasoline, in 1971. It was in 1979 that he first linked up with Frampton, with whom he would play through 2010. He’s featured on much of the guitar great’s discography, including Breaking All The Rules, Art of Control, Shine On: A Collection, Peter Frampton, Live in Detroit, Now, and Fingerprints, which won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 2006.

He is also noted for being a member of KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s solo band, Frehley’s Comet, from 1984 to 1990. Other recording credits in the decade include tracks or albums with David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Tyler, David Lee Roth, Michael Monroe, Billy Idol, and more.

In his later career, he co-founded the band Four By Fate with former Frehley’s Comet co-frontman Tod Howarth. Together they released one album called Relentless in 2016. Regan also hosted a radio show in Poughkeepsie, New York since 2014.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of John Regan.