The Replacements member Bob ‘Slim’ Dunlap has died, aged 73, it has been announced this week, with tributes having since been paid to the musician following the news
It’s been announced that musician Bob ‘Slim’ Dunlap has died, aged 73, with his family having shared that he passed away shortly after listening to one of his own songs.
Bob – who was once a member of the Replacements – died at home in the US on Wednesday, it’s been announced. It’s been suggested that his death was related to a stroke that he had in 2012, which is said to have left him bedridden.
A statement from his family, published by the Minnesota Star Tribune, reads: “Bob passed at home today at 12:48 p.m. surrounded by family. We played him his ‘Live at the Turf Club (‘Thank You Dancers!)’ CD, and he left us shortly after listening to his version of ‘Hillbilly Heaven’ — quite poignant.” The statement added that there was a “natural decline” over the week prior, but added: “Overall it was due to complications from his stroke.”
Bob is best known for having been a member of the Replacements. He joined the band in 1987, replacing original lead guitarist Bob Stinson following his departure. He remained with the group until it disbanded four years later in 1991.
As a result, he featured on their last two studio albums, Don’t Tell a Soul and All Shook Down, which were released in 1989 and 1990 respectively. Whilst in the group, Bob worked with his bandmates on singles like Merry Go Round.
Following the disbandment, Bob pursued a career as a solo artist and later released two studio albums. His first solo album, the Old New Me, was released in 1993. It was followed by his second, Times Like This, which came out in 1996.
It was later announced in 2012 that Bob had experienced a stroke. The following year his former bandmates from the Replacements released benefit EP Songs for Slim for Bob, which featured some of his songs and a selection of covers.
Tributes have to been paid to Bob on social media this week. His former bandmate Tommy Stinson – whose late brother Bob had replaced in the band – wrote: “Our brother Slim Dunlap has passed away. Made more profoundly sad to happen the day after what would have been my natural brother Bob’s birthday. I use the words sweet and brother as they apply to both Bob’s! Slim was one of the sweetest humans I have known and was very much like a brother to me. Slim will be missed greatly.”
Fans have also paid tribute. One person wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Rest In Peace Slim Dunlap. Definitely don’t sleep on the last two Replacements albums. Great songwriting and fantastic playing throughout, much of that comes from Slim.” Another fan commented: “We will miss you, Slim Dunlap. God bless.”
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