In Memoriam: Neal Langford
It’s another tough day in the world for bassists. Former Shins bassist Neal Langford has died at the age of 50. The cause of death is unclear, but foul play is not suspected. Shins frontman James Mercer shared the news on Instagram.
“Just want to let you guys know one of the best friends I’ve ever had has passed,” Mercer wrote. “He was in several bands with me including the Shins. A very important figure in my life you could say. I mean this is the guy who talked me into getting over my shyness and up on the stage. He put me in front of the microphone! He was the catholic school kid who showed me how to sneak into the back of the old El Rey theatre and get a ‘free’ beer. An invaluable person!”
Langford and Mercer were members of Flake Music in the early ’90s, which released one album – When You Land Here, It’s Time to Return – in 1997. Most of the members of Flake Music went on to record the first Shins album, Oh Inverted World, putting them on the map. Langford was out of the band by 2003. After his career in music, Langford became a hot-air balloon pilot
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Neal Langford.
