What's happened to the rhythm section? Part 2 of a grim update
Nine bassists who've “died suddenly” worldwide since March 10
In reverse chronological order:
UNITED KINGDOM
Andy Rourke Dies: The Smiths Bassist Was 59
May 19,2023
Andy Rourke, who played bass for The Smiths on all four of the English band’s albums, died today of pancreatic cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He was 59. Tributes from the music world poured in following the announcement of Rourke’s death, which was made by his friend and Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr this morning.
https://deadline.com/2023/05/andy-rourke-dies-the-smiths-bassist-was-59-1235373266/
UNITED STATES
Tulsa music legend Leon Rollerson dies at 74
May 6, 2023
Tulsa, Okla. - Advocate and musician Leon Rollerson passed away Wednesday at age 74 after a battle with cancer. Rollerson was a bassist for over four decades and a founder of Leon Rollerson Productions.
BRAZIL
André Pomba, DJ and bassist for Vudu, dies of cancer at 59
April 22, 2023
André Pomba, DJ, bassist for Vodu [Voodoo] and former producer for Viper, died this Saturday, April 22th, of stomach cancer, at the age of 59. The information was confirmed on the official Vodu Instagram page. Felipe Machado, from Viper, commented on the publication and recalled his relationship with Pomba. "I am shocked, dear friend. Rest In Peace! Thank you for everything you've done for Viper and Brazilian rock!".
UNITED KINGDOM
Paper Lace bassist and Nottingham musician Cliff Fish has died at the age of 73
April 16, 2023
Cliff Fish has died at the age of 73, following a battle with cancer. The musician was best known as the bass guitarist in 1970s rock band Paper Lace alongside Phil Wright and Carlo Paul Santanna. Paper Lace is one of the biggest bands to come from Nottingham. They first rose to fame on talent show 'Opportunity Knocks,' when Cliff was in his 20s. His wife Elaine and son Rob announced the news of his death in a statement in the The Sun newspaper as they said: "We just wanted to share the sad news that Cliff passed away on Friday afternoon after losing his battle with cancer." Elaine and Rob continued to explain that the two years of Cliff battling cancer was tough but he faced it with "bravery, courage and lived his life to the fullest he possibly could right to the end."
UNITED STATES
John Regan, Bassist for Peter Frampton and Ace Frehley, Dead at 71
April 9, 2023
Bassist John Regan, who played alongside Peter Frampton over a span of 40-plus years and was a member of former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s band Frehley’s Comet in the 1980s, has died at the age of 71. His wife Cathy shared the news through a friend on Facebook, writing, “It is with the greatest sorrow and sadness that I let you all know John passed away this afternoon … I had heard him over the past few weeks having lengthy conversations with many of you and you brought such joy to him … Thank you all for your heartfelt messages. One of his favorite quotes was, ‘All that you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.’ From reading your messages, I know he gave much away and so much love was sent to him. He passed suddenly, but that was his wish.”
No cause of death reported.
ITALY
Statuto bassist Rudy Ruzza has died at the age of 61
March 31, 2023
New mourning in the world of music. A few days after the death of Luca Bergia, founder of Marlene Kuntz, another historic band is struck by a tragedy. Rudy Ruzza, bassist of Statuto, died suddenly at the age of 61. "Rudy passed away in the night. We have no words, only pain" the members of the band wrote on Facebook yesterday morning. A sudden disappearance, which for this reason hurts even more. A disappearance, that of Rudy Ruzza, which occurred precisely in the year in which the Statute celebrates the forty years since its foundation. 2023 should have been a year of celebration for the group that was and still is the flag of the Italian Mods.
No cause of death reported.
SURINAME
‘Hele' of La Caz passed away
March 14, 2023
Paramaribo — Earl Ristie (53), better known as 'Hele', singer and bassist of the well-known kaseko group La Caz in the Netherlands, died suddenly on Monday. “It really touched me deeply. I still don't want to believe it," said Michael Deira van Aptijt to de Ware Tijd. “Besides being fellow musician, we were also good friends.” 'Hele' was one of the founders of the popular music formation La Caz in 1997. The song 'Har a dang' ('Efu na sama sani yu kon luku dya') was one of his big hits. His younger brother Marlon, more commonly known as 'Half', was also part of the group. Very popular in Amsterdam, 'Hele' was also a member of La Rouge and a hairdresser by profession. Well-known professional football players and artists were among his clientele.
No cause of death reported.
BRAZIL
Canisso, bassist of Raimundos, dies at 57
March 13, 2023
Canisso, bassist of Raimundos, died on Monday afternoon (13th), at the age of 57. The musician had a sudden illness and, during the episode, reportedly fainted and suffered a head injury. The news of the death was confirmed by Canisso's children. A member of Raimundos since the group's formation in 1987, Canisso was out of the band only briefly, between 2002 and 2007, when he played with Rodox, the band of former vocalist Rodolfo Abrantes.
No cause of death reported.
The year the music died. What losses - for them, for their families, and for us music lovers.
Thank you Mark for documenting them.
Someday in the future, Mr. Crispin-Miller, if there’s any living human flesh alive on earth still viable in the way of the mind; and should their bodies, in whatever form, be capable of compiling documentation... someday, you, Mark, will be celebrated as one of the great chroniclers of all times. Thank you.