Train pay tribute after founding member Charlie Colin dies aged 58
The band has released a statement
Last updated 24th May 2024
American band Train have paid tribute to their founding member Charlie Colin after his death was confirmed by his sister on Wednesday 22nd May.
Colin’s sister Carolyn Stephens confirmed to Associated Press that her brother had passed away at the age of 58, it was later reported by celebrity website TMZ that he died while house-sitting a friend's house, and slipping in the shower.
In tribute to their former member, Train shared a black and white band photo, writing: 'When I met Charlie Colin, front left, I fell in love with him.
'He was THE sweetest guy and what a handsome chap. Let’s make a band that’s the only reasonable thing to do. His unique bass playing and beautiful guitar work helped get folks to notice us in SF and beyond.
'I’ll always have a warm place for him in my heart. I always tried to pull him closer but he had a vision of his own. You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels❤️🙏🏼 ⭐️'.
Many fans have taken to the comments to leave their messages of condolence, one wrote: 'Charlie was my musical hero. His playing inspired me to become a musician. He was so gracious in letting me into his life. The world has lost a consummate artist and truly beautiful soul. Love and condolences to Charlie’s friends and family. Rest in peace, Maestro ❤️'.
Another commented: 'I am so incredibly sorry for this tragic loss. Charlie was such a sweet soul. We will miss him 💔'.
Charlie had been a member of the band since their beginning in 1993, before 'technically' leaving in 2005, according to a 2022 interview on the Power Players With Dan Clark podcast.
The band formed in San Francisco, with Charlie playing bass and rhythm guitar, as well as providing backing vocals.
During his time in the band, Charlie co-wrote all of the songs on their 'My Private Nation' album released in 2003, as well as co-writing and performing their breakthrough song 'Drops of Jupiter' in 2001.
Musicians who have sadly died in 2024:
Tony Clarkin
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Del Palmer
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James Kottak
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Annie Nightingale
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Wayne Kramer
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Damo Suzuki
Can vocalist Damo Suzuki – real name Kenji Suzuki – died aged 74 on 9th February 2024 following a decade-long battle with colon cancer. Born in 1950 in Kobe, Japan, Suzuki moved to Germany as a teenager in the late 1960s where he was spotted busking in Munich by Can bassist Holger Czukay and drummer Jaki Liebezeit. Recruited to their ranks, he sang on the krautrock band's influential albums Tago Mago (1971), Ege Bamyası (1972) and Future Days (1973). In 1974 he retired when he became a Jehovah's Witness, however he returned to music in 1983 and remained active until his health prohibited him in 2019.
Vitalij Kuprij
Ukrainian-American musician Vitalij Kuprij, best known for being keyboardist for Ring of Fire and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, died aged 49 on 20th February 2024. Born in Kyiv on 7th July 1974, Kuprij was a virtuoso musician who performed a concert with the New York Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall in 1999. He joined as Trans-Siberian Orchestra as pianist/keyboardist in 2009 and remained a member until his untimely death.
Bobby Tench
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Dave Myers
Hairy Bikers star and much-loved Planet Rock presenter Dave Myers died on 28th February 2024 aged 66 following a two-year battle with cancer. Dave's Hairy Bikers co-star of more than two decades, Si King, broke the news of his passing in an emotional post on social media. Si said he "will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime." As The Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers traversed the world on their motorbikes, sampling and cooking food from different regions and cultures. They released numerous cookbooks. Dave was also a keen rock music aficionado, and, with Si, he hosted the Hairy Rock Show on Planet Rock on Sunday mornings from 2015 to 2020.
Brit Turner
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Vince Power
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Karl Wallinger
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Eric Carmen
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Steve Harley
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C.J. Snare
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Dickey Betts
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Mike Pinder
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Duane Eddy
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Richard Tandy
Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Richard Tandy died aged 76 on 1st May 2024. ELO lynchpin Jeff Lynne broke the news of Tandy's passing, writing on social media: "It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy. He was a remarkable musician and friend and I'll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together." No cause of death was revealed. A core member of Electric Light Orchestra who helped shape their unique sound on anthems like 'Mr Blue Sky', 'Evil Woman', 'Sweet Talkin' Woman' and 'Living Thing', Tandy also played Minimoog synthesiser, a Wurlitzer electric piano, the clavinet, Mellotron and piano. Tandy performed on every ELO album except their debut, and together with his band mates he sold over 50 million records worldwide.
Steve Albini
Prolific rock producer and musician Steve Albini died on 8th May 2024 aged 61 of a heart attack. Alongside fronting his own bands Shellac and Big Black, Steve Albini was a revered studio wizard who worked on over 2,000 albums by both eminent and underground bands, largely at his own Chicago studio Electrical Audio. Diverse artists Albini worked with include Pixies, Nirvana, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Cheap Trick, Manic Street Preachers, The Breeders, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, The Stooges, PJ Harvey, and Bush. Albini famously wrote a four-page proposal to Nirvana when they recruited him for 'In Utero', and stated that if the album "takes more than a week to make, somebody's f---ing up". He also outlined his ethos as a recording engineer and his refusal to take royalties, explaining: "I do not want and will not take a royalty on any record I record. No points. Period."
Dennis Thompson
MC5 drummer and last surviving member Dennis Thompson died aged 75 on 9th May 2024. Thompson died in a Michigan nursing home just a few weeks after suffering a heart attack in April. His death follows the passing of MC5 leader Wayne Kramer in February. Thompson's son Chris McNulty said: "He was a true, free-spirited rock and roller up until the very last day. He was a very intense, extremely bright individual who had a really soft heart. He had a soft side that I don't think a lot of people got to see."
David Sanborn
Revered jazz saxophonist David Sanborn, who worked with a smorgasbord of rockers including David Bowie, Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones, died aged 78 on 12th May 2024. A statement from Sanborn's representatives read: "It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications. Mr. Sanborn had been dealing with prostate cancer since 2018, but had been able to maintain his normal schedule of concerts until just recently. Indeed he already had concerts scheduled into 2025. David Sanborn was a seminal figure in contemporary pop and jazz music. It has been said that he "put the saxophone back into Rock 'n Roll." Sanborn is perhaps best known for his work on David Bowie's 'Young Americans' album.
Jon Wysocki
Jon Wysocki, the founding drummer of Massachusetts rock band Staind, died aged 53 on 18th May 2024. The cause of death was noted as due to "issues with his liver that required him to be under the care of medical professionals." Wysocki founded Staind alongside vocalist Aaron Lewis, guitarist Mike Mushok and bassist Johnny April in 1995 and he performed on their first seven studio albums, including the blockbuster 2001 smash 'Break the Cycle.' He was also a member of SOiL from 2011 to 2012.
Doug Ingle
Iron Butterfly founder, organist, primary composer and lead vocalist Doug Ingle died on 24th May 2024 aged 79. His son, Doug Ingle Jr., wrote: "It's with a heavy heart and great sadness to announce the passing of my Father Doug Ingle. Dad passed away peacefully on Friday evening in the presence of family. Ingle was the last surviving original member of Iron Butterfly, the American psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.'
Shifty Shellshock
Shifty Shellshock, the frontman of American rap-rock group Crazy Town who scored a blockbuster hit with 'Butterfly', died aged 49 on 24th June 2024. According to an official report on the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner website, Shellshock – real name Seth Brooks Binzer – was found dead at his home. No cause of death has been revealed. In 2000, Crazy Town scored an international mega-hit with their 'Butterfly', which sampled Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1989 instrumental track 'Pretty Little Ditty.' 'Butterfly' sold over 6 million copies worldwide and stormed to Number 1 in numerous countries including Crazy Town's native US.
John Mayall
John Mayall, The Godfather of British Blues, died aged 90 on 22nd July 2024 at his home in California. His family said in a statement: "Health issues that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally led to peace for one of this world's greatest road warriors. John Mayall gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain." Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire on 29th November 1933, Mayall grew up in Cheadle Hulme and he formed his eponymous revolving band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1963. The Bluesbreakers proved to be a platform for an array of rock legends including Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, The Rolling Stones' Mick Taylor, and Cream's Jack Bruce to name but a few. Highly influential, Mayall enjoyed a career that spanned more than six decades.
Bill Crook
Bill Crook, the former bassist of Canadian metallers Spiritbox, died in July 2024. Crook also worked with a number of other projects including Living With Lions and A Textbook Tragedy, and he had a four-year tenure with Spiritbox from 2018 until May 2022. Although Michael Stringer played bass on Spiritbox's acclaimed debut studio album 'Eternal Blue', Crook contributed backing vocals on the record. Breaking the news of Crook's passing, A Textbook Tragedy's Kai Turmann wrote: "I'm so profoundly sad to say that our dear friend Bill Crook has passed away. "He was a friend to so many, and a dear friend to me since we were children. Bill was, and is, loved by so many people, and I'm so incredible sorry to have to share this devastating information with you. "There will be many words and many tears, but for now I just need to get the terrible news out. I'm so sorry. I love you all. I love you Bill."
Jack Russell
Jack Russell, the former frontman of Great White, died aged 63 on 7th August 2024. In a statement, his family wrote that he "died peacefully" surrounded by his family and friends. They continued: "Jack is loved and remembered for his sense of humor, exceptional zest for life, and unshakeable contribution to rock and roll where his legacy will forever thrive. His family asks for privacy at this time." Great White shared "deepest condolences to the family of Jack Russell" on their Instagram page, adding: "We hope they take comfort in knowing Jack's incredible voice will live on forever. His love for the fans and his sons went unmatched, as was his own love for rock music." Russell announced in July 2024 that he would be stepping away from touring following diagnoses of Lewy Body Dementia and Multiple System Atrophy.
Richard Macphail
Former Genesis and Peter Gabriel tour manager and "sixth-member", Richard Macphail, died aged 73 on 28th August 2024. Peter Gabriel said: "We had sixty years of history together, from when we were at school and he was the cool singer in the band called the Anon to when I spoke to him last week after he had had a nasty fall. Rich was the person who time after time bailed us out of difficult situations. When some of the band were having doubts about our future, he would inspire all of us and convince us to carry on. He went from friend and champion to became Genesis's tour manager and then my own tour manager when I started working again. His determination, good humour and enthusiasm got us all through so many difficult moments." He released the book, 'My Book of Genesis', in 2017.
Herbie Flowers
Esteemed bass guitarist Herbie Flowers, who worked with an array of rock icons, died aged 86 on 5th September 2024. A prolific session musician, Herbie Flowers was also a member of groups including Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky, and by the end of the 1970s it's estimated that he played on more than 500 hit recordings. Arguably Flowers' most famous bass line was Lou Reed's 'Walk on the Wild Side' from his seminal 1972 album 'Transformer.' Flowers also played on two David Bowie albums, 1969's 'David Bowie' and 'Diamond Dogs', and songs he appeared on include 'Space Oddity', 'Rebel Rebel' and '1984.'
JD Souther
American singer, songwriter, and actor John David Souther died aged 78 on 17th September 2024. JD Souther co-wrote some of the biggest hits for the Eagles, including 'Best of My Love', 'Victim of Love', 'Heartache Tonight', and 'New Kid in Town.' Paying tribute, Eagles said: "We have lost a brother, a friend and a brilliant collaborator, and the world has lost a great songwriter, a pioneer of the Southern California sound that emerged in the 1970s. JD Souther was smart, talented, well-read, and in possession of a wicked sense of humour." Souther also scored his own chart hits with 'You're Only Lonely' and 'Her Town Too,' and he worked with an array of other artists including Linda Ronstadt and Don Henley.
Juan Brujo
Juan Brujo (real name Juan Lepe), vocalist of US extreme metal band Brujeria, died of a heart attack on Wednesday 18th September 2024 aged 61. "It is with deep sadness we have to announce that our leader Juan Brujo has passed away today," Brujeria wrote. "Juan suffered a heart attack on early Monday morning, after a day off from the current 'Mexorcista' tour in Saint Clairsville, Ohio. He was rushed to the nearest hospital in Wheeling, West Viriginia by emergency services, but, despite the medical team's greatest efforts, he died this morning."
Paul Di'Anno
Former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di'Anno died aged 66 on 20th October 2024. A statement from Di'Anno's current record label Conquest Music to Planet Rock read: 'On behalf of his family, Conquest Music are sad to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di'Anno. Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66. Born in Chingford, East London on 17th May 1958, Paul first came to prominence as lead singer of English Heavy Metal band, Iron Maiden between 1978 and 1981. He sang on their groundbreaking debut album Iron Maiden, and the influential follow up release, Killers. Since leaving Iron Maiden, Paul Di'Anno had a long and eventful recording career with Battlezone and Killers as well as numerous solo releases and guest appearances.'
Phil Lesh
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh died aged 84 on 25th October 2024. Born in Berkeley, California, on 15th March 1940, Philip Chapman Lesh formed Grateful Dead alongside Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan and Bill Kreutzmann in 1965 and he remained a constant member of the band until their split 30 years later. A short statement on Lesh's social media channels read: "Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love."